Lung cancer symptoms can be a little hard to detect, which is why you need to be cautious.or a long time, it was believed that only smokers and industrial workers get lung carcinomas or lung cancer, because of the way their bodies are exposed to cigarette fumes and polluted air. The fact, as our recent air pollution levels have revealed, is that anybody living in big cities can be exposed to pollutants.
You may not be aware of it, but your lungs can become home to cancer through breathing in the smog or through passive smoking. Since lungs are internal organs, there is no external exam we can take or lump we can detect when it comes to lung cancer. So, while we are all exposed, we can't differentiate between the early signs of lung cancer and, say, tuberculosis, unless we are cautious.
So, as the world marks November as the Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we share a few early signs of lung cancer that you should take note of. If any of these signs present themselves, go to a doctor immediately.
1. A persistent cough
While a cough is usually associated with a cold or respiratory infections, a persistent cough can be a sign of something else altogether. It doesn't matter if the cough has mucus or it is dry, but if it lingers for more than a week or two, it might be something more serious, including cancer.
2. Change in breathing
If you're facing shortness of breath or getting winded very easily, it might be a sign of a lung disease, including lung cancer. If a tumour in the lung blocks the air passage, you could be feeling this shortness of breath. It could also happen because the fluid from the carcinoma can build up inside the lungs.
3. Chest pain
Whether you're coughing or not, if you're feeling consistent pain in the chest, it might be a sign of lung cancer. The pain, located in the chest, shoulders and/or back, can indicate where the cancer is located in the lungs. Usually, when lung cancer causes chest pain it is because of enlarged lymph nodes or metastsis.
4. Sudden weight loss
If there's a drastic drop in your weight without any diet or workout regime to base it on, it might be a signal your body is sending to show a tumour is growing inside you. Cancer cells usually suck up all the energy from the body, which is why the weight loss occurs. However, this isn't just a sign of lung cancer, but also that of any other cancer as well.
5. Head and bone aches
Persistent headaches and bone aches can be a sign of the fact that lung cancer has spread to the brain and bones. A lung tumour pressing on the superior vena cava can also trigger headaches. If the pain in your bones increases at night, that too could be a symptom of lung cancer. The best way to deal with these aches is to go to a doctor for a thorough checkup.
6. Signs for smokers
If you're a smoker, and have noticed any change in the way you cough, you should go to a doctor immediately. If you're coughing more often, more hoarsely, or coughing up blood, it could be a sign of lung cancer. If you feel a constant wheezing noise in your chest when you breathe, don't ignore it. It could be a tumour blocking the air passage.
Keep a look at yourself as well as your family and friends for all of these signs. Do not take them lightly. It's always better to get these things checked rather than ignore them to face worse conditions later, especially if cancer is diagnosed. The earlier cancers are detected, the better your fighting chances, so don't ignore these signs of lung cancer.
