Symptoms
Lung cancer usually does not cause any symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. The earlier lung cancer is found and diagnosed, the greater your chances of beating the disease. See your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Chronic or new persistent cough
Coughing up blood
Chest pain when coughing, breathing, or laughing
Difficulty breathing
Hoarseness or wheezing
Loss of appetite
Unexplained weight loss
Weakness and fatigue
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Chronic infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia
Severe arm or shoulder pain
Swelling of the face, neck, arms, or chest
Clubbing (excess growth) of the fingerbeds
Some more aggressive forms of lung cancer tend to grow and spread very rapidly, and may not present any symptoms until spreading to other parts of the body. You should also be on the lookout for any symptoms that could be caused by cancer in another part of the body:
Bone pain and tenderness
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
Headaches, seizures, or unsteadiness
Any irregular masses or lumps
In the past decade, lung cancer is on the rise among people who have never smoked. Over 50% of women in southeast Asia with lung cancer have never smoked. These people may develop lung cancer because of exposure to air pollution or secondhand smoke, or they may have a genetic predisposition for lung cancer. Genetic testing and counseling allows people to determine if they have any genetic abnormalities that may increase their risk for lung cancer. Studies have shown that genetic variations in the chromosomes can predispose certain people to lung cancer. It is especially important to see your doctor if you experience any of the previously mentioned symptoms, even if you do not smoke.
