How to Spot Lung Cancer Symptoms

Lung cancer symptoms are critical to catch as early as possible. The farther lung cancer progresses, the more difficult treatments for lung cancer become.

Be familiar with these symptoms and signs to catch lung cancer in its early stages and increase the chances of successful treatments for lung cancer.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. CHECK YOUR ENVIRONMENT AND LIFESTYLE FOR HIGH RISK EXPOSURE.
   
   Lung cancer symptoms are often recognized too late because people simply don't see themselves as high risk candidates for lung cancer. You are at risk of lung cancer if you:
   
   - are a smoker
   - live with a smoker
   - regularly breathe second hand smoke
   - have been exposed to asbestos. Cancer from asbestos is especially dangerous
   - have arsenic in your water
   - have radon gas gathering around your home
   - have been exposed to carcinogenic chemicals.
   
   If this is you, get a full cancer screening once a year.

2. WATCH OUT FOR LUNG RELATED SYMPTOMS
   
   Treatments for lung cancer must begin in early stages for the chances of success to be high. It is critical, therefore, not to ignore these symptoms especially if you are a high risk candidate. The symptoms include sudden change in coughing, persistent (even if low grade) cough, coughing of blood, shortness of breath, change in vocal tone (hoarseness), or difficulty swallowing.

3. WATCH OUT FOR SEEMINGLY UNRELATED SYMPTOMS OF LUNG CANCER.
   
   Ongoing fatigue or unexplainable weakness could be a sign of lung cancer. A drooping eye lid or paralysis in the facial tissue is another sign. Loss of appetite, nail problems, or other unexplainable physical phenomena could also be distantly related signs.

4. GET A YEARLY SCREENING DONE ON TOP OF NORMAL PHYSICALS
   
   A normal physical will not fully cover a cancer screening. If you are a high risk candidate, treatments for lung cancer will be much more difficult if delayed. Allow your physician to determine the best screening for your case.
   
   * See more tips below

Tips & Warnings

• If you have been exposed to asbestos, cancer is a high possibility. Be screened for mesothelioma on a regular basis.
• Treatments for lung cancer may begin with specific diagnostic tests such as lung x-rays, CT scans, MRI's, or even open lung biopsy.
• Treatments for lung cancer range from radiation and chemotherapy, to surgery, to a mixture of all three.

[botticelli728]

on 9/5/2009 Scary stuff. Excellent info, Dave. 5*

[watersong]

on 9/3/2009 Good tips. I didn't know that a drooping eye lid or nail problems were symptoms of lung cancer. 5*