Early Symptoms Of Lung Cancer

It is important to know the early symptoms of lung cancer because it is one of the most dangerous types of cancer that is known to spread to other body organs at an early stage.

Being aware of common lung cancer symptoms is crucial as it could save your life by improving your chances of survival.

Lung cancer like other cancers originates from abnormalities in the basic unit of the body - the cell. When the orderly system of cells is disrupted, they divide and proliferate in an uncontrolled manner forming an abnormal mass referred to as a tumor.

Although not all tumors are malignant, those that give rise to lung cancer symptoms are.

Tumors that are benign usually do not pose a threat and can be removed without spreading to other parts of the body. Malignant tumors, like those of lung cancer, multiply and spread aggressively by moving to other parts of the body in a process called metastasis.

Certain organs that are more prone to being affected are the liver, adrenal glands, bone and the brain.

Here are some of the symptoms of lung cancer based on a wide cross section of patients with many lung cancer symptoms.

This is not comprehensive list. Even though some of these symptoms are indicative of other illnesses, if you have them consult a medical practitioner immediately.

If a very dear friend of mine had been aware of these symptoms early enough, more than likely, he would still be with us today. Like most men, my partner included who also died of cancer, he probably thought that the symptoms were the result of working too hard, or symptoms of a cold.

When I advised my partner to see a doctor, his reply was,"Don't worry Bum (his nickname for me), it's nothing, probably a cold coming on."

Please, take these symptoms seriously. Your health is one of the most precious things that you possess, and one that we all tend to overlook.

• Swelling in the facial and neck region
• A persistent cough that does not respond to treatment
• Blood in sputum / spit with a brownish tinge
• Pain in the chest region
• Sudden, significant drop in weight that isn't the result of dieting or exercise
• Shortness of breath
• Inexplicable fatigue
• Recurring bouts of pneumonia, bronchitis and other such infections
• Change in voice quality / hoarseness that persists
• Fever that occurs for no apparent cause
• Loss of appetite

These are only a few of the early symptoms of lung cancer. There are others, such as fingertips of some patients may change in shape, their lymph glands may become swollen, especially those in the lower neck and upper chest, and they may have frequent bouts of pneumonia.

Having one or more of these symptoms of lung cancer does not necessarily mean that you have the disease. There are many other health conditions that can cause these symptoms.

It is important to be cautious because when the disease spreads to other parts of the body, it can give rise to other lung cancer symptoms.

Examples include bones that fracture too easily, persistent / recurrent headaches, formation of blood clots, bleeding, pain in some area of the body, etc. Some symptoms may not be apparent till the disease has progressed to become stage 4 lung cancer.

Early detection is critically important to improve the chances of curing lung cancer. In patients where the cancer has already advanced, detection can still help to prolong life and improve its quality.

Symptoms of lung cancer can be caused by various factors. Smoking is at the top of the list of causes, and this was a terrible habit that my partner could not quit. An estimated nine out of ten cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking cigarettes. That is a shocking statistic.

Asbestos exposure is another known risk factor. Researchers have found that asbestos workers are seven times more likely to develop lung cancer as compared to the general population.

Other risk factors include exposure to toxic chemicals, heavily polluted air in big cities, lung inflammation, etc. Family history of lung cancer also increases the risk of developing the disease. For more information about toxic chemicals, go to causes of cancer.

If you have any of these early symptoms of lung cancer, please take them as warning signals and consult your doctor as soon as possible. Remember you are precious, and you need to take care of yourself.

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