Know it All – 7 Telltale Warning signs to detect Lung Cancer Early!

Jenny, a 38 year old mother had mysterious respiratory symptoms of a persistent cough, wheezing and feeling breathless when exercising. After treatment with antibiotics for 2 weeks, there was no change in her condition. Her doctor then ordered an X-Ray and subsequently a CT Scan. She was stunned to receive a diagnosis of advanced lung cancer.

 

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women. Smokers have a higher risk of getting lung cancer, but even non-smokers can develop lung cancer.

Early diagnosis leads to higher survival and better prognosis. That is why being aware of the telltale warning signs leading to an early detection makes an enormous difference.

 

BREATHE – the seven common symptoms of lung cancer

The Lung Cancer Research Foundation coined the BREATHE acronym to help you remember the seven common symptoms of lung cancer:

B – Blood when you cough or spit
R – Recurring respiratory infections
E – Enduring cough that is new or different
A – Ache or pain in shoulder, back, or chest
T – Trouble breathing
H – Hoarseness or wheezing
E – Exhaustion, weakness, or loss of appetite

 

B – Blood when you cough or spit

 

 

• Blood in the phlegm or even just a small drop of rusty blood in your phlegm, indicates a possible serious condition. Take this seriously.
• Seek immediate medical help to check on the symptom.

R – Recurring or Frequent infection.

• If you experience recurring lung infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia, it is time for a chest X ray.
• These infections can occur due to suppressed immune system by the cancer tumour.
• These infections are common in lung cancer patients, requiring separate antibiotic treatment.

 

E – Enduring or Persistent cough.

• See a doctor if you have a cough for more than 2 weeks and have relevant tests such as X rays.
• Any cough persisting for longer than 8 weeks with no known cause, should be investigated for lung cancer.
• The character of the cough can be dry, or productive with sputum, may be mixed with blood.
• It can present throughout the day and worsens at night.

A – Ache or Pain in chest, shoulder or back

• Experiencing pain while deep breathing, coughing, or even laugh, and which does not go away, is another warning sign.
• Pain may be due to tumour growing inside the chest pressing on the nerve endings and surrounding tissues causing the pain.
• If you experience pain in the shoulder, back or hip, it might be a sign the cancer had spread, get it checked right away.

 

T- Trouble Breathing (Shortness of breath)

• Consult your doctor if you suddenly become short of breath performing activities that previously you had no problem doing.
• Shortness of breath can have many causes while lung cancer is one of them. Therefore it is important to check it out.

 

H – Hoarseness or Wheezing

• An enduring cough leading to hoarseness and or wheezing, feeling breathless or short of breath may be interpreted as a warning signs, not to be dismissed but to be further checked on by your physician

 

E- Exhaustion, Weakness, loss of appetite and weight

• You might be happy to lose some of those extra weight but think twice before celebrating.
• Loss of weight, particularly together with exhaustion, no appetite are warning signs of underlying tumuors causing sudden metabolic changes.

 

Lung Cancer Breakthrough – Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy 

Relying on chemotherapy alone for the treatment of lung cancer may not be sufficient. Nowadays, patients are able to live longer thanks to new therapies developed.

The new therapies, Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy, have improved the survival rates of the lung cancer for the past 15 years.

Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets the cancer cell, based on the type of mutation that the cancer cells might have. Chemotherapy often affects all cells, while targeted therapy is more focused. As a result, side effects from targeted agents are milder and usually associate with significant reduction in tumuor volume.

Immunotherapy uses drugs to stimulate or make changes to the body’s immune system to help identify and fight cancer cells, increasing survival rates.

There is also big difference in the survival rate between early detection and late detection of lung cancer. Being able to recognise these telltale symptoms can help you catch lung cancer at the early stage which is very important for your longterm survival.

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References

1. Sign and symptom lung cancer. [Internet][cited 2019 Jan 30] Available from:

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/prevention-and-early-detection/signs-and-symptoms.html

2. Lung cancer. [Internet][cited 2019 Jan 30] Available from:

https://www.activebeat.com/your-health/10-warning-signs-of-lung-cancer/8/

3. 7 early sign lung cancer. [Internet][cited 2019 Jan 30] Available from:

https://www.elitereaders.com/early-warning-signs-of-lung-sick/?cn-reloaded=1

4. 5 early sign lung cancer. [Internet][cited 2019 Jan 30] Available from:

https://www.self.com/story/subtle-symptom-of-lung-cancer-chronic-cough

Tags

• awareness
• Cancer
• chest pain
• Cough
• lung cancer
• smoking