Lung Cancer may not be as noticeable as you may think. It happens when abnormal cells start growing inside your lungs. These cells grow in an uncontrolled way and form a cluster by clumping with each other. Lung cancer stands as one of the most common types of cancer in the entire world. Cancer of any kind is typically never detected till it grows enough to be seen by medical scanners.
Here are some of the symptoms of lung cancer that should prompt you to make an appointment with your physician:
1. Cough that Does Not Quit
You must always be alert for cough that lingers. A cough that is linked to respiratory infection may go away in a week or two, but a persistent cough could mean more. It does not matter if the cough is producing mucus or is simply a dry cough. In fact, Hemoptysis is a form of cough that occurs when you cough up blood and is a symptom too. It is important that you don’t dismiss a stubborn cough.
2. Trouble Swallowing
It is possible that a person suffering from lung cancer has the disease invading the esophagus. Because of this they may feel pain while they swallow. This is a major symptom and is called Dysophagia.
3. Chest Pain
Around 25% of people who experience lung cancer have chest pain. This is a particular dull but persistent ache. If you really undergo this, do not ignore it; see a doctor as soon as you can.
4. Change in Your Breathing Pattern
If you notice that you become easily winded up than you used to, and it’s not because of lack of exercise and loss of stamina, it could be a sign of lung cancer. Frequent shortness of breath if it is lung cancer can result in narrowing and blocked airways. This is also a symptom of fluid of a lung tumor building up in your chest.
5. Wheezing
When the airways become constricted or inflamed, the lungs begin to make a whistling sound as you breathe. Wheezing is linked to many causes, lung cancer being one of them. Do not assume that wheezing is another form of allergy till you have it confirmed by a doctor.
6. Weight Loss
Unexplained and rapid weight loss is related to cancer. This happens because cancer cells use up all of your energy. If you have not been trying to lose weight, this should be alarming.
7. Headaches
Headaches are another sign. Sometimes the lung tumor leans on the vena cava, which is a large vein that moves blood from the body to the heart. This pressure on the vein triggers headaches.
8. Shoulder and Arm Pain
Lung cancer invades nerve cells and can cause a condition known as Pancoast’s Syndrome. This is the form of shoulder pain that you can feel radiating towards the outside of your arm.
There are a number of options for lung cancer treatment including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and laser treatments. Treating cancer in its early stages can only be done if its diagnosed that early.