Symptoms and Facts of Lung Cancer

Symptom

Initially, lung cancer does not cause symptoms. When symptoms appear, lung cancer is usually at an advanced stage. Symptoms include:

• • Chronic cough / persistent
• • Chest pain
• • Coughing up blood
• • Increased production of mucus
• • Wheezing (breathing sounds)
• • Shortness of breath
• • bronchitis
• • Hoarseness
• • Pneumonia (lung inflammation)
• • Weight loss
• • Appetite lost
• • Extreme Fatigue

Complaints that may arise depending on the location of tumor growth and spread. Chest pain, for example, is caused by the growth of tumors in the lung membrane or bone.

If you smoke or ex-smoker, you are in a high risk category. Remember that the above symptoms can also indicate other lung problems. The best advice is to see a doctor to determine the cause.

Lung cancer can be easily identified by a simple chest x-ray, or a more specialized type of scan called a CT scan. If you are worried, you can ask your doctor to recommend it.

Furthermore, test and biopsy (sampling) may be required. For example, if you have increased production of mucus (phlegm).

Some important facts about lung cancer

1. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. (accounts for approximately 32% of cancer deaths in men and 25% in women).
2. Heavy smokers or ex-smokers represent about 90% of lung cancer patients.
3. Men who smoke one pack a day increased the risk 10 times compared to non-smokers.
4. Men who smoked two packs a day increase the risk more than 25 times compared to non-smokers.
5. The more and the longer you smoke, the greater your risk.
6. Chemicals and compounds in cigarette smoke also cause cancer in addition to other health problems such as stroke and heart disease.