10 Early Symptoms Of Lung Cancer – Lung Cancer Awareness Month 2022

The world is experiencing more and more cases of cancer. A lethal disease, cancer occurs when the cells of the body act anomalously and start to multiply abnormally. These cancer cells then form a mass, and then soon spread to the other parts of the body. Luckily your body will often show a number of early symptoms of lung cancer, so you can catch it in time.

Cancer can be caused by various factors, some of which are beyond our control. Environment, genetics, our diet, the presence of radiation around us, etc.  But we also do make active choices that increase the probability of cancer. Using plastic utensils and containers, especially those containing BPA, drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, not using sun protection are all things we choose to do.

However, whatever the causes may be, cancer is a dangerous disease that can overtake almost any part of the body. A tiered disease, cancer becomes progressively worse.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to identify some of the cancers in their initial stages. Consequently, the run cells run wild in the body, unbeknownst to the person. It then gets metastasized to the rest of the body, leaving little but palliative care mostly for the patients.

One such type of cancer which can potentially catch people unaware is lung cancer. It’s only when the symptoms are too severe does one become aware of the disease. After this, the chances of mortality run extremely high.

 Therefore, it is very important to be aware of the signs of cancer in the body. Some of the 10 early symptoms of lung cancer are:

1. Cough

Cough is common in lung cancer, due to obvious reasons. While coughing in it of itself is not a very discernible symptom of the disease, however, coughing due to cancer has a unique identifier –it does not go away.

Persistent coughing is not very common and can be cause for concern when seen in the light of other factors.

2. Weakness and lethargy

Cancer cells multiply rapidly and encroach on the rest of the cells of the region. Not only do they use up a large amount of the nutrients in the body, but also can kill the other cells, which they can’t perform their tasks. They also take up a chunk of the oxygen supply, which is required for the production of energy, resulting in perpetual tiredness.

As that cells carry out essential duties in the body and are deprived of fuel, they are unable to perform their tasks well. Many times it also results in anemia as well.

3. Sudden weight loss

Since the cancerous cells soak up the nutrients of the body, there is little left for the rest of the cells. Consequently, the body’s reserves are also taken up by the dearth of energy available, resulting in weight loss.

4. Coughing blood or Bloody phlegm

A perhaps more alarming indicator of the early symptoms of lung cancer is coughing up blood. It can also be phlegm or sputum containing traces of blood. A bloody cough is a clear sign of lung disease, and if one is experiencing these in conjunction with other symptoms, it is best to consult a doctor right away.

5. Hoarse sound

Due to the persistent onslaught of coughing, the voice tends to turn hoarse. It may also induce a painful sensation in the trachea as well.

6. Pain in the chest

Even though the cancer mass in the chest may not may palpable in the initial phases of the disease, it still exists inside the thorax. It thus leads to pain in the chest. Any action that exerts pressure on the lungs or inflates them well, like a deep breath, coughing, laughing, sneezing, etc. then causes pain in the chest.

The pain may also extend to the peripheries like the shoulders and the back as well.

7. Lung infections

Cancers cause the immunity of the body to suffer. The body becomes weak and thus is more liable to suffer from infections. Lung diseases like pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. are among the early symptoms of lung cancer. These infections perpetually plague the body and patients suffer a lot from these persistent infections.

8. Wheezing

As tumors take up room in the lungs, as a result, the lung capacity is decreased. This not only makes deep breathing painful but also then leads to wheezing. It gets difficult to do normally breathe altogether.

Moreover, since lung infections accompany lung cancer, it also makes the problem of wheezing more profound.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from these symptoms, it is always best to consult a professional. You can book an appointment with a top Oncologist in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad through oladoc.com. Or call our helpline at 042 3890 0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT Doctor for your cancer-related issues.