Lung cancer is one of the most common type of the disease in the
world – with millions of people diagnosed with the condition each year.
A lingering cough, feeling tired and losing your appetite could be mistaken for a virus or even a common cold.
But these symptoms could also be sign of something much more
serious – especially as lung cancer is often symptom-less until the
disease has progressed.
So, what are the signs you need to look out for – and who is at
risk of developing the illness? We’ve rounded up everything you need to
know.
How common is lung cancer?
Primary lung cancer – which begins in the lungs, rather than
spreading to them from another place – is the second most common type of
cancer in Britain.
There are two types of lung cancer – 80 per cent of cases are
non-small-cell, while small-cell lung cancer is a rarer type which
spreads more quickly.
It is almost equally common in women and men, but it’s rare in people under the age of 40.
NHS guidelines state rates of lung cancer increase rapidly with age, and it’s most common in people aged 70-74.
What are the 8 key signs and symptoms?
Symptoms of lung cancer can include:
1. Having a cough most of the time
2. A change in a cough you have had for a long time
3. Being short of breath
4. Coughing up phlegm (sputum) with signs of blood in it
5. An ache or pain in the chest or shoulder
6. Loss of appetite
7. Tiredness (fatigue)
8. Losing weight
Less common symptoms, usually associated with more advanced forms
of the disease, include a hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing and pain
and discomfort under the ribs, in the chest or shoulder.
Meanwhile, finger clubbing (a change in the shape of your fingers
and nails), facial swelling and swelling in the neck are also signs to
look out for.
What are the risk factors?
Smoking is without doubt the biggest cause of lung cancer – and the
length of time you have smoked is more important than how many
cigarettes you smoke a day.
Passive smoking can also increase the risk – but it’s difficult to know by exactly how much.
Meanwhile, a family history of lung cancer, or a personal history of cancer or lung disease are also risk factors.
And on top of that, exposure to air pollution, radon gas and other
chemicals including asbestos can also raise the risk of the disease
developing.
How is lung cancer treated?
Treatment for lung cancer depends on the nature of the disease in each individual patient.
Some cases of non-small-cell lung cancer can be treated with
surgery, while others may require chemotherapy and radiotherapy,
particularly if the disease has spread or if the patient has other
health issues which rule out surgery.
Meanwhile, small-cell lung cancer is usually treated with chemotherapy – sometimes in combination with radiotherapy.
The Sun UK
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