Lung Cancer Symptoms

Smoking cigarettes is the single biggest risk factor for lung cancer - it is responsible for more than 85 per cent of all cases.

Figures provided by Cancer Research UK shows the highest number of people affected by lung cancer live in the north east of England - a region which includes Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham.

However, the second highest affected area is the north west of England, with 101.1 people in every 100,000 affected by the disease.

There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer, but many people with the condition eventually develop symptoms.

Gary Bolger, chief medical officer at AXA PPP Healthcare said: “Lung cancer signs and symptoms usually develop as the condition progresses, so it’s really important to be aware of the most common ones and see your GP immediately with any concerns.

“Approximately 41,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year in the UK, and while it’s typically linked to smoking cigarettes - about 90 per cent of all cases - people who have never even smoked can still be diagnosed with the condition.”

Symptoms of lung cancer

A persistent cough

People might have a cough most of the time - which can get worse at different times of day.

However a change in a cough a person has had for a long time could indicate lung cancer. The changes could include feeling more pain, having a different sound, or bringing up mucus or phlegm.

Coughing blood

Cancer Research UK wants that people with lung cancer could start coughing up blood.

The charity warns: “This might be small amounts of blood.

“You might be coughing up rust coloured phlegm (sputum). Or your sputum might have flecks of red in it. It is more unusual to cough up larger amounts of blood. But see your doctor straight away if this happens."

Persistent chest infections

People with lung cancer might have chest infections most of the time. Or, you might have a chest infection that doesn’t get better with treatment.

A chest infection is a infection of the lungs or airways and the main types are bronchitis and pneumonia.

Persistent breathlessness

Dr Hilary Jones said while all people get out of breath sometimes, those who get out of breath doing things they used to do with ease, every day things like vacuuming or mowing the lawn, could be suffering with undiagnosed lung cancer.

Aches, pains and fatigue

Everyone experiences aches and pains from time to time, but feeling a pain in the chest or the shoulder could be a sign of lung cancer.

Experts warn this pain could be anything from a dull ache to a sharper pain. Feeling tired and fatigued are also warning signs of cancer.

Weight loss

People with the disease might lose their appetite or feel like they have gone off certain foods. Some people also lose a lot of weight quickly, even if they haven’t intended to.

Hormone related symptoms

Cancer Research UK said some symptoms can be related to hormones in the blood stream.

The charity said: “These hormones can cause symptoms that don’t seem related to the lung cancer. Doctors call them paraneoplastic syndrome.

“These hormone symptoms might include pins and needles or numbness in the fingers or toes, muscle weakness, dizziness and confusion, breast swelling in men and even blood clots.”

For more information visit www.cancerresearchuk.org

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