You may not notice any obvious signs of lung cancer in its early stages, but they may show up in some unexpected parts of your body as it progresses
Lung cancer, one of the four most common types of cancer in the UK, sees over 49,000 new cases each year, according to Cancer Research UK.
This disease is triggered by an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs, which are crucial for oxygen intake and carbon dioxide expulsion.
Lung cancer in its early stages may not exhibit any noticeable symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms can appear throughout the body.
In rare instances, people might experience pins and needles or numbness in their fingers or toes if lung cancer cells release hormones into the bloodstream.
“These hormones can cause symptoms that don’t seem related to the lung cancer. Doctors call them paraneoplastic syndrome,” said Cancer Research UK.
Lung cancer symptoms
The primary symptoms of lung cancer include:
- Muscle weakness
- Drowsiness, weakness, dizziness and confusion
- Breast swelling in men
- Blood clots
The main symptoms of lung cancer are:
- A cough that doesn’t go away after two or three 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
Should any symptoms reminiscent of lung cancer arise, such as breathlessness or a continuous cough, the NHS recommends consulting a GP, reports the Express.
What will happen at a GP appointment?
The NHS website explained: “The GP will ask about your general health and your symptoms. They may examine you and ask you to breathe into a device called a spirometer, which measures how much air you breathe in and out. You may be asked to have a blood test to rule out some of the possible causes of your symptoms, such as a chest infection.”
A chest X-ray is often the first step in spotting lung cancer, as tumours typically show up as a white-grey area on the image.
Am I at risk of lung cancer?
It varies from person to person, but puffing on cigarettes is the top culprit. Cancer Research UK found that 60% of lung cancer cases are tobacco-related, including passive smoking.
The charity urges smokers to kick the habit sooner rather than later, warning that the risk of lung cancer “increases more the longer you smoke and the more you smoke”.
What are the other causes of lung cancer?
Air pollution might not be as well-known, but it’s still a significant hazard, responsible for 8% of UK cases.
The NHS also flags exposure to certain workplace chemicals and substances as potential dangers. These include:
- Arsenic
- Asbestos
- Beryllium
- Cadmium
- Coal and coke fumes
- Silica
- Nickel
Moreover, research has highlighted that long-term contact with diesel exhaust, such as nitrogen oxide gases, could up your chances of getting lung cancer.
Dodging certain lifestyle choices can help lower your risk, but studies suggest that embracing positive habits could further reduce the likelihood of developing the condition.
Research indicates that a diet low in fat and high in fibre, including at least five daily servings of fresh fruit and vegetables along with ample wholegrains, can decrease your risk of lung cancer, as well as other forms of cancer and heart disease.
There’s also persuasive evidence suggesting that regular physical activity can lower the risk of developing lung cancer and other types of cancer.
