Early Signs of Lung Cancer
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and unfortunately, one that may not show symptoms until it is in an advanced stage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Because of this, knowing the early symptoms of lung cancer and knowing your risk level can help with earlier detection and treatment. Learn more about common lung cancer symptoms and steps to take if you have high risk for the disease.
Symptoms of lung cancer
Lung cancer is an umbrella term for cancers that start in the lungs, most often in the airways, called bronchi, or small air sacs, called alveoli. This is the third most common cancer in the U.S. About 80% of lung cancer deaths are related to smoking, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Symptoms of lung cancer often don’t appear until an advanced stage, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). These symptoms can seem like long-term effects of smoking or a common respiratory infection. This makes it important to notice any changes in your health or new symptoms and seek immediate medical care, especially if you currently smoke or have smoked tobacco products.
Common symptoms of lung cancer, according to the ACS, include:
- Recurring respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis
- A new, worsening or lasting cough
- Chest pain worsened with coughing, laughing or deep breathing
- Coughing up blood or bloody phlegm
- Shortness of breath
- New wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Tiredness or weakness
- Loss of appetite
- A general feeling of being unwell
Lung cancer screenings
Because the symptoms of lung cancer may not show up until later stages of the disease, routine screenings are key for early detection if you are at higher risk, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Detecting lung cancer early means you have a better chance of successful treatment.
Those at high risk include all three of the following factors:
- A history of heavy smoking, or a pack a day for 30 years
- Current or former smokers who quit within the past 15 years
- Age 55 to 80
Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) about your risk factors, including family history of lung cancer and any tobacco use, and about appropriate screenings. A physical examination is often the first step. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a low-dose helical computed tomography (CT) scan annually for those at high risk. The scan takes 3D photos of the chest to look for tumors or irregularities in the lungs and chest.
Depending on the results, screenings could lead PCPs to recommend procedures such as a biopsy and then treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, among others.
While smoking and vaping are not the only causes of lung cancer, they are the most common. Smoking can increase the risk of many cancers and other chronic conditions, including heart disease and stroke.
Michigan has a free Tobacco Quit Program that can help you quit smoking today. To enroll in the Tobacco Quit Program:
- Visit: MI Tobacco Quitlink
- Call: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669)
- TTY: 1-888-229-2182
- 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Image: Getty Images
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