From Cough to Chest Pain: Early Warning Signs of Lung Cancer - Dr C N Patil

Lung cancer is a very common disease and one of the deadliest cancers there is. It often develops silently without causing any discomfort, making its presence known only at the later stages.

Combatting risk factors and raising awareness about the disease assisted with increased screening rates are practices that can positively affect the case fatality rates. Make sure to contact a health professional as soon as you can if you happen to have any of the above symptoms or fall into a high-risk population category.

Early Diagnosis: How Lung Cancer Is Detected in the Early Stages

More often than not, lung cancer is diagnosed in the later stage when some symptoms are already present. Yet, it can be treated effectively if it is noticed and diagnosed at an early stage. The following attributes can be significant in identifying lung cancer early:

1. Perpetual Coughing

• A new cough that does not go away after a few weeks or lasts longer than that and gets worse day by day could suggest that lung cancer is present.

• Hemoptysis, or coughing blood as well as promoting rust-coloured sputum, are good enough reasons not to be ignored in any circumstance.

2. Disturbance of the Normal Breathing Patterns

• Unexplained dyspnoea or wheezing may be symptoms that cancer is present.

• A physician should be consulted if there is undue breathlessness while performing such tasks as tasks that were considered simple before or at rest.

3. Chest Pain

• Chest pain such as an unexplainable dull, persistent ache or sharp pain that gets worse when coughing or taking a deep breath could advance to lung cancer.

• Chest discomfort may be due to the fact that the tumour has metastasized or is spilling on other structures.

4. Frequent Respiratory Infections

• Recurrent episodes of pneumonia or bronchitis that appear to be never ending could be an early-stage lung cancer symptom.

• If you have recurrent lung infections that need treatment, it is better to consult your physician regarding lung cancer screening.

5. Unexplained Weight Loss

• Unintended weight loss of more than 10% of the normal body weight without reasons which include change in diet and activity level could indicate the existence of a cancerous growth in the lungs.

6. Fatigue and Weakness

• Persistent fatigue which is uncharacteristic that does not improve with rest could accompany lung cancer or other dreadful ailments.

• People suffering from lung cancer tend to feel weakness all over their bodies, irrespective of the lack of concerning symptoms related to lungs.

7. Swelling in the Face or Neck

• Swelling in the face along with a swollen feeling of fullness in the neck should cause alarm, especially if accompanied by changes in swallowing, since this looks like spreading of the tumour to surrounding lymphatic glands.

8. Loss of Appetite

• Undeniably, appetite loss without apparent reasons, or feeling sated by very little amount of food, constitutes signs of lung cancer manifested as weight loss and some other symptoms.

9. Strained or Changing Voice

• In case there is sudden hoarseness of voice, or wavering pitch or tone when speaking, which has no immediate resumption within but is more than 3 weeks, this can be associated with lung cancer dealing with both the vocal cords or a structure close to the cords.

10. Risk Factors: Get Screened if You’re High Risk

• If a person is a smoker and above age 50 years without any lung cancer, will be lie highly eligible for low dose CT screening in case of symptoms, history of heavy smoking of more than 20 pack years is another plus.

• Some non-smoking patients with a family history of lung cancer disease or some other risk factors should also be screened.

11. Get Regular Check-ups

• Regular visits to your doctor can help identify potential issues before they become serious. If you're at risk for lung cancer, make sure your doctor is aware of any changes in your health.

12. Know Your Family History

• A family history of lung cancer can increase your risk. If lung cancer runs in your family, discuss screening options with your healthcare provider, even if you’re a non-smoker.