Lung cancer often doesn’t have symptoms in the early stages, but as the cancer grows, it can cause a wide range of warning signs
Lung cancer is often only detected once it has spread, making it particularly dangerous. Each year, almost 50,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer, the majority of whom are over 60 and/or smokers.
However, the disease can also be caused by second-hand smoke, radiation, and exposure to substances like asbestos, chromium, and nickel compounds. The most common form of lung cancer affects the airways leading into the lungs, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and a persistent cough that may produce blood or phlegm.
While these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, maintaining good overall health and avoiding risk factors can help reduce the chances of a late-stage lung cancer diagnosis.
Shoulder symptom
If a tumour develops at the top of the lung, it can put pressure on the nerves and blood vessels leading to the arm, resulting in pain and weakness arm and/or shoulder. This can often be accompanied by a persistent pins and needles sensation, reports as previously reported..
Another early sign of lung cancer is finger clubbing, where the fingertips swell due to a lack of oxygen. In addition to causing pain or weakness in the arm, shoulders, and sometimes the chest, the tumour may also obstruct blood flow to the head, causing facial swelling.
Lung cancer symptoms list
The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:
- a cough that doesn’t go away after 2 or 3 weeks
- a long-standing cough that gets worse
- chest infections that keep coming back
- coughing up blood
- an ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- persistent breathlessness
- persistent tiredness or lack of energy
- loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
The tumour might also release large amounts of hormones that cause symptoms further away in the body. Similar to other forms of cancer, those with lung cancer may find themselves experiencing fatigue and weight loss as well.
Quite often lung cancer can present with lung infections. So if have been suffering from a long-term lung infection that hasn’t responded to antibiotics or other treatments, consult your GP and investigate for lung cancer.
You should also seek medical advice if you have any lung cancer symptoms, or are otherwise concerned.
