lung cancer symptoms

What are lung cancer symptoms? When should you see a doctor? What are the best treatments for lung cancer? Lung cancer is the number, one cancer killer, striking 1.7 million people worldwide each year. If caught early, 90 percent of all people with lung cancer can be treated successfully. But the disease remains the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women.

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be more than 164,000 new cases of non-small cell lung cancer in the United States in 2011 and that about 107,000 Americans will die from the disease this year. So it's important to learn everything you can about the disease and its symptoms because early detection gives you your best chance to survive.

When should you see a doctor? What are the best treatments for lung cancer? Lung cancer is the number, one cancer killer, striking 1.7 million people worldwide each year. If caught early, 90 percent of all people with lung cancer can be treated successfully. But the disease remains the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be more than 164,000 new cases of non-small cell lung cancer in the United States in 2011 and that about 107,000 Americans will die from the disease this year. So it's important to learn everything you can about the disease and its symptoms because early detection gives you your best chance to survive.

Then, if you get lung cancer, your doctor can determine if you have stage I, II, or III disease. Stage I and II disease can be treated with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Stage III disease requires treatment with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Lung cancer symptoms vary according to the stage of the disease. People with stage I or II disease may not have any symptoms at all. But those with stage III disease may notice A persistent cough that lasts for more than three weeks, a change in how their voice sounds, trouble breathing, chest pain, or shortness of breath. Symptoms of lung cancer may be similar to other conditions. So if you have any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor.

Nor do you want to ignore any of the warning signs that might be a sign of lung cancer. So here is a quick list of some of the most common symptoms of lung cancer. Some of the symptoms may be vague, but they could be early signs of lung cancer. It's important to see your doctor if you're having any of these symptoms. Lung cancer can't be cured, but it can be treated. Many patients with lung cancer survive more than five years after their diagnosis. But some people who get lung cancer don't live as long as they should. The key to living longer with lung cancer is early detection.

What are lung cancer symptoms?

Lung cancer is diagnosed when someone has a cough or difficulty breathing along with persistent wheezing or chest pain. While those symptoms are the most common early warning signs of lung cancer, there is a range of other symptoms that might signal the presence of lung cancer:

Frequent coughing and clearing of your throat (sometimes mistaken for a chronic cough)

A dry, hacking cough that lasts more than three weeks; coughing up blood; or coughing up mucus that is streaked with blood

Pain or pressure in your chest (or pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back)

Coughing up phlegm (sputum) that looks unusual, such as pink or red sputum; sputum streaked with blood; or loose, watery sputum.

A cough that doesn't go away with cold or common allergy medicine.

Coughing up blood, even though you have no signs of infection

Lung cancer symptoms include:

Nasal congestion, as well as a frequent need to clear the nose by sneezing or blowing the nose

Frequent headaches, especially one that is pounding or that feels like a tight band around your head

Weight loss and fatigue without an obvious reason

Unexplained weight gain accompanied by a change in your breathing rate (more rapid breathing at rest, with strenuous activity). Weight gain may indicate lung cancer is affecting bone health. Your height and weight also could be affected by lung cancer. Many cancer treatments affect both your appetite and bone density.

Early signs of lung cancer include:

The National Cancer Institute reports that the following lung cancer symptoms require immediate medical attention.

A persistent cough that lasts three weeks or longer, especially if you're coughing up blood or mucus.

Sudden shortness of breath for no apparent reason, accompanied by a rapid heart rate or feeling anxious or panicked. This could signal a large blood clot in the lung (a condition called pulmonary embolism).

Coughing up blood from the lungs, especially if you have a history of lung disease or tobacco use. 

Chest pain or shortness of breath with wheezing, especially if you've been a smoker.

Pressure in your chest that feels worse when you're lying down and better when you're sitting up or leaning forward. This could indicate a pneumothorax, a collapsed lung.

Sudden pain in your stomach that spreads to your back is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. This could signal a ruptured esophagus from acid reflux disease caused by smoking. Smoking also causes inflammation of the esophagus, which can lead to cancer.

Lung cancer symptoms include:

Coughing up blood, or coughing fits that produce no phlegm (sputum).

A hacking cough.

Shortness of breath. Some patients will describe this as a feeling of suffocation, especially when lying down at night. Or they may say they feel like someone is sitting on their chest. The sensation will come and go in severe cases, but it can be almost continuous in others. They may report weakness or fatigue that doesn't seem to be relieved by rest.

A change in your normal breathing pattern when you're active, such as shortness of breath with exercise, which gets worse over time.

While lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women, the disease is more common in women. In 2010, lung cancer was diagnosed in 1.7 million women worldwide, while it was diagnosed in 1.5 million men worldwide. The reason for the difference is unknown, but there are some theories. For one, lung cancer tends to develop more rapidly in nonsmoking males than nonsmokers of other races or ethnicities. Second, smoking damages the tissue that lines the lungs, making it less likely that these tissues will regenerate into malignant tumors.

Lung cancer also develops more slowly in females. NASH, for example, does not cause symptoms in the early stages. For this reason, it's important to be aware of your risk factors, especially if you are middle-aged or older. The National Cancer Institute recommends that everyone receive regular medical checkups, including an annual physical exam and chest X-ray.

The lung cancer symptoms can be similar to symptoms of other lung diseases. Because it is hard to detect lung cancer early in the disease's progression, many people present with advanced-stage lung cancer—it has spread beyond the lungs and can be found in bones or lymph nodes by the time they are diagnosed.

In conclusion, we must all take responsibility for our health. If you have a family history of lung cancer or have been exposed to secondhand smoke, talk to your doctor about getting a test for early detection. There is no surefire way to detect lung cancer early, but there are some ways to reduce your risk. If you're a smoker, stop smoking as soon as possible. If you have smoked for a long time, try to quit completely. The longer you smoke, the higher your risk of developing lung cancer. Avoid secondhand smoke at work. Never use tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Do not smoke near children. If you have questions or concerns about your health, make an appointment to see your primary care physician. If you think you might have a medical problem, please call your doctor's office. You may be referred to a specialist. If you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, do not wait to seek medical attention. In most cases, it's better to be safe than sorry.