Affecting both men and women, lung cancer is the second most common cancer
(discounting skin cancer) and a leading cause of cancer death in both
sexes according to the American Cancer Society. The good news: Many lung
cancers can be prevented since they are related to smoking, second-hand
smoke, and sometimes, radon exposure or other environmental factors.
There is no doubt that lung cancer can be a serious disease. However, those
with lung cancer found at an early stage can be treated successfully.
While signs and symptoms may not occur at an early stage, being proactive
and knowing the risk factors can help you, and your doctor, determine
if testing is needed.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Most lung cancers do not cause any symptoms until it spreads, but some
individuals who are in the early stages may experience symptoms. The key
is to alert your doctor to any symptoms you have early on, when treatment
may be more effective.
Symptoms may include:
Persistent cough
Hoarseness
Weight loss and loss of appetite
Coughing up blood or discolored (“rusty”) sputum
Chest pain that worsens with coughing, deep breathing or laughing
Shortness of breath
Weakness or tired feeling
New episodes of wheezing
Persistent infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia
Risk Factors and Prevention
Smoking
Exposure to second-hand smoke
Exposure to radon
Exposure to asbestos and other types of chemicals and carcinogens
Family history of lung cancer
Prevention, then, may mean avoiding the items listed above (except family
history, which cannot be controlled). For those individuals at a higher
risk for lung cancer, a test called a Low-Dose CT scan, becoming known
as the "mammogram" of lung cancer testing, available at the
Independence Health System Lung Center.
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