As with all cancers, if diagnosed early lung cancer can be more effectively treated and cured.  Yearly, lung cancer kills almost 1.5 million people – but with early diagnosis there is a 50% higher chance of survival over those who are not diagnosed until the disease has spread, or metastasized, beyond the lungs.  As early diagnosis can save your life, you should be aware of the warning signs and early symptoms of lung cancer.

1. Difficulty Breathing
Wheezing and shortness of breath can happen just walking up too many flights of stairs, but if you are getting winded during activities that you were just fine doing before – it could be an indicator that something is wrong.  If you are a smoker, or know you are at increased risk for lung cancer, this is definitely not a symptom to ignore.  Difficulties breathing can be a result of constricted, blocked, or inflamed, airways in the lungs, lung cancer being one of the causes. Have it checked out by your doctor, just to be safe.

2. Chronic Cough
We all get coughs from time to time, maybe a flu related or allergy symptom.  But if this cough persists and doesn’t seem to go away it could be reason to worry.  Any cough that lasts weeks (over a month) at a time without being resolved should be brought to the attention of a physician.  Dry or wet coughs can be symptomatic of lung cancer, so ANY persistent cough shouldn’t be ignored.  These causes are typically worse at night and can lead to reduced quality of sleep as well.  Similarly if there are any changes in your cough, take note of it.  Are you coughing more than usual? Is your cough deeper or sound different than before?  Are you coughing up blood and mucous?  Any of these changes are cause for a doctor’s visit.

3. Rapid Weight Loss
Any very quick weight loss, with no change in daily habits is cause for concern.  Many people don’t see this as a problem because they might be happy to have dropped the extra pounds, but this is not a sign of good health.   The dropped weight could be coupled with a lack of appetite, adding to the weight loss seen.  Cancer related weight loss is usually inexplicable from outside habits, but in your body the tumor could be making your body work harder to fight off the growing cancer.  By expending this extra energy to fight off the tumor, weight loss occurs.  Again, if you have not made any changes to your typical day through diet or exercise but are losing weight – bring this to the attention of a physician.

4. Chest Pain
Because the lungs are in the chest, any damage to them can cause pain in the chest when you strain, cough or laugh.  If this pain is persistent over a long period of time, it could be a sign of lung cancer.  One reason chest pain occurs is due to a growing tumor pressing on the surrounding chest area from the lungs.

5. Voice Changes
Changes in the voice like hoarseness and raspiness, especially over a long period of time is a symptom of lung cancer.  You may also notice your voice getting deeper, or cracking more often.  Although also a symptom of the common cold, in the case of lung cancer – this symptom is caused by damage to the voice box or larynx.  If changes in your voice last longer than two weeks, be sure to have your doctor check to see the cause.