Lung cancer symptoms that should not be ignored

Lung cancer is a disease that is quietly deadly, and is the type of cancer with the highest mortality rate according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition to finding out the causes of lung cancer so you can take prevention, you also need to understand any symptoms that may arise. Therefore, you need to pay attention to any conditions that have the potential to be a symptom of lung cancer.

Common lung cancer symptoms

The following are some of the symptoms of lung cancer, both the initial symptoms and the symptoms experienced by patients when they are in the late stages.

1. An incurable cough

One of the most common and common symptoms of lung cancer is a dry cough or cough with phlegm. However, different from ordinary coughs, the symptoms of lung cancer do not immediately improve. In fact, this cough will occur throughout the day until you sleep at night.

The cough, which is a characteristic of lung cancer, also does not improve even after treatment. If you experience a condition as described, you should immediately see a doctor for a lung check or an X-ray.

2. Coughing up blood

The characteristic of lung cancer that you need to be aware of is coughing up blood. According to Medline Plus, a sign of lung cancer is the presence of blood in the sputum. The blood usually comes from the lungs. If you experience this condition, never underestimate it. Immediately visit the doctor and have your health condition checked.

3. Shortness of breath during normal activities

One of the symptoms of early-stage lung cancer is shortness of breath that appears even though you have just been doing normal activities. Apart from feeling short of breath, your breath may also make sounds. This condition usually occurs because the tumor blocks the respiratory tract or the fluid around the lungs increases, thus pressing on the lungs.

You may often dismiss these symptoms as normal. Therefore, if you experience this condition, do early detection of your health condition to find out if you have lung cancer.

4. Chest pain

Although a lung cancer tumor that appears in the middle of the lung is painless, certain types of lung cancer that occur on the chest wall and outside of the lung can cause pain. Lung cancer has the potential to cause chest, shoulder or back pain as an early symptom.

Discomfort due to pain in the chest may be due to lymph or metastatic nodes in the chest wall, pleura (the lining around the lungs) or swollen ribs.

5. Breath sounds (wheezing)

Another symptom of lung cancer that also shouldn't be ignored is wheezing, which is when your breath makes a sound. Usually, this condition occurs when the lungs contract, become blocked, or become inflamed.

It is true that wheezing can be a sign of another health condition, such as allergies or asthma. However, you still shouldn't ignore it. If this condition doesn't get better, there's nothing wrong with checking your health condition.

If indeed you are diagnosed with lung cancer, your doctor can help treat your lung cancer.

6. The voice has changed

The hallmark of early-stage lung cancer is a changed voice, usually becoming hoarse. You often take this for granted, because the sound often changes when you have a fever or when you wake up.

However, if you notice changes in your voice at times that aren't normal, don't underestimate this condition. A voice that is suddenly hoarse for no reason needs to be checked by a doctor immediately. Especially if your condition doesn't get better right away.

The reason is, this condition can occur due to lung cancer. Yes, lung cancer tumors can affect your voice box, causing characteristics such as changes in the voice.

7. Shoulder pain

You may not think that a sore shoulder might be a symptom of lung cancer. This may occur when a tumor forms in the upper part of the lung, because the tumor will certainly press and pinch the various nerves around the lung, including the shoulders, arms, spine, to the head.

To differentiate it from regular shoulder pain, you need to understand your habits. If you frequently engage in activities such as carrying a backpack on one shoulder, it may be natural for your shoulder to hurt. However, when the shoulder pain appears for no reason, you need to be suspicious and immediately see a doctor.

8. Weight loss

If you deliberately change your diet to have an ideal body weight and lose weight, that's normal. However, weight loss that occurs suddenly and for no apparent reason is certainly not a good sign.

This condition is also one of the early signs or symptoms of cancer that you also need to pay attention to. Generally, people with lung cancer often lose weight in a short time, because cancer cells use up all the energy and nutrients in the body.

Don't ignore changes in your weight, especially if they occur when you haven't changed your diet or lifestyle. Better to immediately check your health condition to the doctor.

9. Pain in the bones

Another symptom of lung cancer is pain in the bones. Many people mistakenly think that bone pain is part of the aging process. Therefore, when experiencing it, people tend to underestimate it. In fact, experiencing bone pain at an early age is not a natural thing.

Therefore, it is important to recognize the early signs and symptoms of lung cancer on this one. Usually, bone pain caused by lung cancer is concentrated in the back, shoulder, arm, or neck, although it is rare.

Lung cancer pain often gets worse when you rest or at night. Therefore, do not ignore the pain in your body and immediately consult a doctor.

10. Continuous headaches

One of the conditions that can also be a symptom of lung cancer is a headache. Usually, this condition indicates that lung cancer has spread to the brain. This occurs when the tumor presses on the nerves that run through the chest. This pressure can cause headaches.

If you feel any of the conditions that are symptoms of lung cancer that have been mentioned above, it never hurts to have your health checked by a doctor. If you are declared healthy, stick to a healthy lifestyle to prevent lung cancer.

One of the efforts you can do is stop smoking. The reason is, this habit provides a large enough potential for you to experience one of these life-threatening diseases.