Even though lung cancer kills approximately 1.3 million people each year, the disease is not a definite death sentence. Those diagnosed early stand a 50-percent greater chance of survival over those whose undiagnosed cancer spreads to other organs throughout the body. Any of the following ten early warning signs of lung cancer could save your life if detected early…
1. Labored Breathing
Shortness of breath or wheezing might not be a symptom that you consider serious, however, if you are suddenly short of breath after running up the stairs when you weren’t before, it might be time to talk to your doctor.
2. Stubborn Cough
A persistent cough that leads to a hoarse, raspy voice that won’t go away for a few weeks, it can indicate a lung issue. Sadly, many folks blame this symptom on a cold or allergies and don’t get it checked out.
3. Plummeting Weight
Weight loss is often celebrated, but if you’re not cutting calories or exercising more to lose weight, something else might be up. Add to that a sudden lack of appetite and a cancer tumor may be the cause in your sudden metabolism spike.
4. C
hest Pain
One prime symptom of lung cancer is chest pain that’s felt deep in the lungs when you lift something, cough or laugh. And persistent pain in the chest that doesn’t go away is a sign that you may have lung cancer.
5. Hand & Finger Pain
Fatigue and pain in fingers may be two early warning signs of lung cancer that tend to be overlooked. In the majority of cases, when the skin of the palms thickens and becomes white with pronounced folds (a condition called “Tripe Palms” due to the appearance), lung cancer is present.
6. Bloody Phlegm
Coughing up blood in phlegm is never healthy, even when its just tiny spots of rust-colored blood in your phlegm. This may indicate lung cancer or another serious illness.
7. Mood Swings
Mood swings, episodes of anger and irritability, followed by exhaustion and even depression can become routine for those suffering from lung cancer. The situation could be most evident in a formerly easy going person who suddenly seems to let everything irk them.
8. Frequent Infections
Recurring pneumonia or bronchitis, as well as other infections that one just can’t seem to shake are common with lung cancer, particularly with infections that affect the airways. If you suffer from chronic lung infections, it may be time for a lung x-ray.
9. Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can occur if a lung tumor grows and puts pressure on the top of the lungs and the nerves in the armpit. This pressure will often result in aches, tingling, and pain sensations that shoot down the shoulder, the inner arm, and hands.
10. Irregular Breast Tissue
Abnormal breast development in men (often called “man boobs”) will occur due to the cancer encouraging the secretion of unusual hormones. This just goes to show that if you can’t rationalize a recent health issue; it should not be ignored.
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