Common Signs And Symptoms

How will I suspect if I have lung cancer?

There are a variety of ways in which lung cancer may make itself known. Some people only discover it during a routine medical check-up, whilst others may have had signs and symptoms for many months. It is worth asking your doctor for an x-ray or second opinion if you have any of the following unexplained symptoms for more than three weeks:

• Repeated chest infections that do not respond to antibiotics within three weeks.
• An increase in the amount you cough.
• Sputum (spit) that is bloody in colour.
• Lost your voice but your throat feels fine.
• Breathlessness.
• Chest/Shoulder pains.
• Facial and/or neck swelling.
• Unexplained weight loss/tiredness.
• A change of shape at the ends of your fingers known as clubbing.
• Hoarseness.

The diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer can be complicated because lung cancer is a very mobile disease. This means that it often spreads to other areas and organs in the body. It may be that the actual lung tumour does not cause problems to the chest, but that the spread to other areas of the body is what actually alerts you or your doctor to there being a problem.