By David Silva
As with most cancers, the earlier you detect lung cancer the better your chances of survival. In fact, when it's caught in the first stages, there's an almost 50% survival rate after five years. This is a remarkable number considering the fact that overall, lung cancer has only a 15% survival rate.
So the earlier it's diagnosed the better.
And that's why being aware of the signs of lung cancer can mean the difference between surviving and becoming a statistic.
The Early Signs
Since the early signs of lung cancer can easily be mistaken for other conditions, it's often difficult to take them seriously. However, if you're experiencing a chronic cough that doesn't appear related to a virus or allergy, wheezing, chest pain, bouts of bronchitis, or a persistent fever ... it's time to pay attention.
Lung cancer symptoms are often related to the location of the lesions, which settle into the tissues of the lung first. That's why the early signs tend to reflect common cold, flu, and bronchial illnesses. Once the cancer moves beyond the bronchia, new symptoms arise.
The Later Signs
Once lung cancer has metastasize and moved beyond the bronchia, the signs can expand dramatically. For instance, if the cancer has spread to the brain, then common signs might include blurred vision, stroke, and migraines. As you can see, these are serious symptoms that could be related to any number of illnesses. The point is this: don't dismiss them.
In addition, signs such as depression, weight loss, fatigue, shoulder pain, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness should be taken seriously.
When To See A Doctor
While you don't want to be running to your doctor every time you get the sniffles, if the above signs show themselves, especially if they're persistent, it's better to be safe than sorry. This is particularly true if you've been a smoker or are currently smoking, or if you've ever been exposed to asbestos over an extended period.
It only takes a few hours out of your life to make an appointment and visit your doctor. Here are the signs that should inspire action:
- Unexplained loss of weight - Persistent shortness of breath - Stubborn respiratory infections that keep coming back - A chronic cough that has no apparent cause - Pain in your chest - Wheezing - Fatigue (again, if it has no apparent cause)
The point to remember is that your immune system is busy fighting the cancer. This is why you may find yourself constantly run down and battling nagging infections. It's also one of the reason you may experience mood changes and irritability.
Conclusion
There is a caveat, unfortunately. Nearly a quarter of the people diagnosed with lung cancer never experience any symptoms at all. So while these lung cancer signs can serve as red flags, their absence doesn't necessarily mean everything is just fine. Another reason to see your doctor for an annual checkup.
Learn more about the early symptoms of lung cancer and additional information about lung cancer, its stages and its treatments at: Lung Cancer Insights
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Voices of Lung Cancer: The Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength (Kindle Edition)
Provided by the patients, their friends, families, and caregivers of those diagnaosed with lung cancer, these very personal stories offer inspired insight into the ways families and professionals care for both themselves and the patient, gain a deeper understanding of the relationships, and learn to come to terms with the end of life. Included are essays by medical experts about the science of lung cancer, current treatments, choosing the right doctors, and what the future holds for the next generation of patients.
Voices of Lung Cancer: The Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength
Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts, Choices--and Hope (Paperback)
The sheer volume of information presented here is the strength of this comprehensive manual on lung cancer. Writing with freelancer Wernick, Henschke, chief of the division of chest imaging at New York Hospital Cornell Medical Center, provides a medical perspective on the disease, while McCarthy, founder of the Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support and Education (ALCASE) offers support for those afflicted as well as their caregivers. From the outset, McCarthy makes clear that the tendency of family members as well as some health-care professionals to blame smokers (nonsmokers are also diagnosed with lung cancer) when they contract lung cancer not only leads to guilt, but may actually discourage some people from seeking adequate treatment. The authors describe the many forms of lung cancer and their treatments, which include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and alternative therapies. They explain how to apply for clinical trials as well as the benefits and risks of participating. Since earlier detection improves the chances of a cure, the authors recommends the still controversial CT scans for those at high risk for lung cancer (i.e., former or current smokers). This excellent resource details how patients can learn to cope with the physical problems resulting from some treatments, how to sustain themselves emotionally while fighting the disease and ways to navigate the health-care system. An excellent resource. B&w illus.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Surviving Cancer (Paperback)
"When facing a major health crisis, connecting with people is an invaluable lifeline," writes Margie Levine in Surviving Cancer: One Woman's Story and Her Inspiring Program for Anyone Facing a Cancer Diagnosis. Call "friends in the medical field, and then friends of their friends"; call "hospitals, libraries and health clinics... cancer organizations and holistic health centers"; contact intimates and "fellow travelers" (others with cancer) for support. Such networking, says Levine, yields "information that may be more immediately useful... than what you find in books, because it is first-hand, people-driven, up-to-date, and customized to your specific situation by the questions you ask." That said, Levine, in a compassionate but matter-of-fact manner, offers an exceptionally helpful book. She suggests small, practical steps that can make a big difference organizationally, such as using a tape recorder and a medical notebook to record information. She outlines alternative therapies (massage, acupuncture, etc.), spiritual and psychological resources and practices (meditation, prayer, journaling), medications, diet and strategies for dealing with MRIs and stress in general. Recommended for anyone with cancer and their loved ones.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Surviving Cancer
Lung Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Diagnosis, Treatments, Stages. What You Need to Know About Lung Cancer (Kindle Edition)
Lung Cancer Book: What You Need to Know About Lung Cancer... This Lung Cancer Book is for people seeking more information about Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Treatments, Stages, Signs, and Causes. It is also for family members and others seeking to learn more information on Lung Cancer and gain a better understanding on how to help and support lung cancer patients. This Lung Cancer Book is concise, factual, and to the point. This National Cancer Institute (NCI) booklet is about lung cancer, cancer that begins in the lung. It tells about diagnosis, staging, treatment, and comfort care. Learning about the medical care for people with lung cancer can help you take an active part in making choices about your own care. This booklet has lists of questions that you may want to ask your doctor. Many people find it helpful to take a list of questions to a doctor visit. To help remember what your doctor says, you can take notes or ask whether you may use a tape recorder. You may also want to have a family member or friend with you when you talk with the doctor—to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen. This Lung Cancer Book will give you the facts you need to know about this disease and all the options you need to be aware...
