Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. One in every 16 people will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. Fortunately, you can learn everything you need to know about the early signs of lung cancer with a search online.
Anyone can develop lung cancer, but people who smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke and other harmful substances are at a greater risk. Early detection can make a significant difference, so it’s worth learning about the signs and symptoms.
Early Signs of Lung Cancer
The earlier the diagnosis is, the greater the survival rate for lung cancer. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease will help you recognize it in yourself or a loved one before it spreads.
Pain
Pain is often one of the earliest symptoms of lung cancer, but it can come in many different forms. Some people experience chest pain when breathing, and others feel pain in their bones. About 25 percent of people with lung cancer experience back pain, which can happen when a tumor places direct pressure on the back or spine. Cancer can also cause irritation in the lining of the lungs, leading to sharp pain in the chest or back.
Headaches are a common symptom of lung cancer as well. This sometimes occurs when a tumor puts pressure on the superior vena cava, the vein that carries blood to the heart from the upper body. In other cases, headaches are a result of orthostatic hypotension, or a drop in blood pressure upon standing, which is common in people with lung cancer.
Weight Changes
About 60 percent of people with lung cancer have experienced significant weight loss by the time they’re diagnosed. Loss of appetite is typically one of the earliest symptoms of the disease, but it can have serious consequences. Weight loss and malnutrition can put you at risk for a variety of other symptoms and health issues and can make it more difficult for your body to fight the cancer.
Many people don’t think much of weight loss and loss of appetite, but it’s sometimes a sign of a more serious issue. After a lung cancer diagnosis, weight loss often continues as chemotherapy and other treatments can cause nausea and vomiting. The psychological distress of a cancer diagnosis can also affect your appetite.
Change in Cough
Coughing is your body’s way of clearing out germs, irritants, and other harmful objects from your lungs and throat. There are many causes of coughing other than lung cancer, but a cough caused by a cold or infection will clear up in a couple of weeks. Almost everyone with lung cancer experiences an aggressive, persistent cough.
A cough caused by lung cancer may also sound different from your normal cough. It might sound deeper or more hoarse than usual, and it might be accompanied by blood or rust-colored phlegm. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should speak to your doctor right away.
Wheezing and Shortness of Breath
Wheezing is aa abnormal whistling noise that occurs during breathing, and it affects anywhere from 40 to 85 percent of people with lung cancer. It often occurs in late stage lung cancer, but it can also be an early sign of the disease. Wheezing is caused by inflamed, blocked, or constricted airways. In many cases, it’s benign or easily treatable, but it sometimes indicates lung cancer.
Shortness of breath is another early sign of cancer. It’s normal to become winded when exerting yourself, but you may notice that you get out of breath much more easily than you used to. You may start to struggle to walk up a flight of stairs without losing your breath, which is a sign that you should see your doctor.
Raspy Voice
Hoarseness is especially common in people who have a persistent cough. You may hear a change in your voice or others may point it out to you. A raspy voice can also be caused by weakness or paralysis in the laryngeal nerve, which controls the voicebox (larynx). The laryngeal nerve passes through the chest cavity near the lungs, so a tumor in the lungs can affect the functioning of the nerve.
Like many of the other early signs of lung cancer, hoarseness can be caused by a variety of other factors. However, if it persists for more than two weeks, it may indicate cancer or another serious medical issue.
Do Your Research
There are many options for treating lung cancer, especially if you and your doctor catch the disease early. Many patients are able to manage their symptoms and prevent or delay the spread of the cancer by using a combination of medications and therapies. If you’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer, you should carefully research your options and speak to your doctor about all possible treatments.