How To Look For Early Lung Cancer Symptoms

With an awareness of Lung Cancer rising amongst the western world population and many new initiatives been driven forward to reduce the risk of cancers as a whole, it is understandable that many people (whether they are, have been or haven't smoked) are increasingly worried about ailments and illnesses that may indicate a potential risk of this type of Cancer. Early Lung Cancer symptoms can manifest themselves in a variety of ways, so to the untrained eye, it is entirely possible to go unnoticed or even recognised as something else completely.

We know from medical advances that as with all types of cancer, Lung Cancer carries a much greater probability of a successful and speedy recovery if it caught and diagnosed at an early stage. This is why it is so crucial to be aware of the symptoms that are associated with first having developed the disease. Recent statistics have suggested that those sufferers who identify and seek appropriate treatment in the early stages, can look to have between 60-80% survivability rate, while the figures decrease drastically to approximately 10% for those who are diagnosed in the late stages. So with that in mind, the importance of identifying early lung cancer symptoms as soon as possible is crucial. Here's what you need to look for:

Coughing - While this is one of the primary signs of early lung cancer, it is in the same instance, a very common occurrence caused by a multitude of conditions from a simple cold, to an irritation, to an allergy, to more serious conditions such as lung cancer. For that very reason it's always worth keeping in mind that the presence of a cough does not automatically mean a cause for concern.

Shortness of breath or Lethargy - Another commonly occurring early symptom is a shortness of breath when undertaking activities that you would not have normally struggled with. Even normal household chores such as hoovering or window cleaning can leave early stage sufferers breathless and finding it difficult to get air. This can be exclusive or even coupled with a general feeling of lethargy. Tiredness throughout the day can be explained by a number of other factors such as age or physical activity but it is worth remembering that this is an early stage sign and one worth looking for.

Pains or aches throughout your upper torso - This is a symptom more specific to lung cancer and can help you to identify a problem early on. As lung cancers develop they can cause pain in nerves surrounding the affected areas. This can result in pains through your chest, back, shoulders or arms. It may, of course, be muscular in origin, but remember that if it does not subside in a day or two, it is worth approaching a medical professional with your concerns.

This article by no means covers the entire spectrum of early lung cancer symptoms but does give you an idea of some of the more common symptoms that may be present at the early stages of the disease. As with all health related concerns it's absolutely crucial to ensure any concerns are relayed to a qualified medical practitioner who can arrange for the necessary tests to be carried out for a proper diagnosis.