Overview of signs & symptoms- Lung Cancer

Overview of signs & symptoms- Lung Cancer

Zain Syed
Zain Syed

The ABCs of Lung Cancer: Overview of signs & Symptoms

The symptoms of lunch cancer closely mimic other common illnesses such as a cold. It is very important to get screened early, especially if you have risk factors. The most common cause of lung cancer is smoking. Other common causes can include exposure to secondhand smoke, asbestos, family history, other lung diseases, and a history of infections such as tuberculosis.

Symptoms of lung cancer include

  • Persistent cough
  • Trouble breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing up blood.
  • Feeling very tired all the time.
  • Weight loss with no known cause.

 

When should you get screened

  • 50 years of age or older
  • Smoking 20 or more pack years

 

What is a pack year?

Take the number of packs smoked a day multiplied by the number of years smoked.

Example: 2 packs a day x 20 years = 40 pack years

 

Why is screening important?

Lung cancer is the third most common type of cancer but the number one cause of cancer-related deaths. The 5-year survival rate decreases by almost half if cancer spreads further than the lungs.

 

5-Year Relative Survival 
Localized 61.2%
Regional 33.5%
Distant 7.0%
Unknown 9.9%
  • Localized cancer is limited to the primary site
  • Regional is cancer that has spread to the surrounding lymph nodes
  • Distant is cancer that has metastasized

 

The average 5-year survival rate for people with lung cancer is 22.9%. Most (55%) of it is diagnosed once it has metastasized. Death rates have decreased due to earlier screening and better treatment options.

Early screening is very important. If you or a loved one falls within the risk factors, reach out to your doctor and discuss being screened for lung cancer.

 

Zain Syed
Zain Syed
I am a Pharmacist specializing in oncology and pain management. I have worked in various settings, including Infusion, Clinic, Inpatient, Outpatient, and Investigational Drug Services. The lack of access, financial struggles, and people falling through the cracks leads to worse outcomes and increased costs. I chose healthcare to help people and want to help at scale, my mission and passion, not just one person at a time. Cancer can be a lonely journey, but it does not have to be. I look forward to building a community that educates and supports each other through difficult times.

Download our
mobile app

Share this post
You may also like
Articles
Why Black women are more likely to get endometrial cancer?
November 8, 2022

What is Endometrial cancer? Endometrial cancer starts when cells in the lining of the uterus become abnormal. This type of cancer is most often seen in women who are post-menopausal, and is more common in Black women.  Signs and Symptoms The most common symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal…

Julie Scott, DNP

author

Articles
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN): Types, Symptoms, Treatments & More
January 23, 2023

What is Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) Is a group of inherited disorders that affect the endocrine glands, which are the glands that produce hormones. There are several types of MEN, but the most common are MEN type 1 and MEN type 2. MEN type 1 is…

Julie Scott, DNP

author

Articles
Colorectal cancer treatment (CRC)
November 8, 2022

Treatment is often classified into local therapy or systemic therapy. Local therapy means that it only treats the colon or rectum, and not any other parts of the body. Systemic therapy is treatment that goes around your entire body, treating cancer cells that may be present outside of the colon.…

Julie Scott, DNP

author

cancerGO gives you access to a community

Where are people to listen, answer questions, share information, and offer valuable and timely advice