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Lung
cancer is the biggest cause of cancer deaths in the United States and
the rest of the world. It involves a tumor growth within the lungs,
reducing lung capacity and affecting breathing. We currently know that
it is caused primarily by cigarette smoking, but it can also occur as a
result of passive smoking or being exposed to pollution or general smoke
for long periods of time.
Lung cancer will also occur as a result of cancers from the rest of the
body spreading and reaching the lymph nodes, resulting in cancerous
cells spreading across the body and causing tumors elsewhere in the
body.There are actually two types of lung cancer – small cell lung
cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer.
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1. Persistant coughing
The first thing you’ll notice is that you can’t stop coughing. This
isn’t the usual cough that you might experience with a cold or flu, but
a deep, chronic cough that comes deep from your chest. It will sound
hoarse and will constsantly happen. You will feel like there is no
relief from the cough, it will feel dry and particularly uncomfortable
each time you do it.
Over time, it can also create a scratching pain in your chest. |
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2. Shortness of breath
The effect that lung cancer has on your breathing is quite significant.
As the tumorous mass grows, it restricts the amount of air your lungs
can hold – and it also affects surrounding capillaries that pick up air
from the lung and pass it to the rest of the body. You’ll begin feeling
a shortness of breath when you only mildly exert yourself, and in some
cases, you will feel short of breath even when sat down and relaxing.
In extreme cases you will feel completely winded after climbing some
stairs, and sometimes feel like you simply can’t breathe at all. As time
goes by, these symptoms will get worse and worse, making it essential
that you contact your doctor as soon as you begin to notice any symptoms
like this. |
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3. Headaches
It seems a little odd to some, but lung cancer can in fact cause
headaches. In some instances, this means the cancer has spread to the
brain, but oftentimes it simply means that the tumor in the lung has
begun putting pressure on the superior vena cava. This is the larger
vein that takes blood from the heart to the upper part of the body,
including the brain. When the tumor puts pressure on this vein it
deprives the brain of all the oxygen it needs, causing migraines and
headaches. |
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4. Bone aches
Lung cancer, like lots of other kinds of cancer, can cause pain in the
bones. This doesn’t always mean that the cancer has spread to the bone,
but can be caused by inflammation and pressure being placed on different
bones throughout the body.
In particular, people with lung cancer often complain of pain in the
ribs, the shoulder, arm and the neck. If you experience any of these
pains, it’s essential you talk to your doctor about them. You can be
prescribed medication to help reduce this pain even when you are going
through cancer treatment. |
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5. Weight changes
It’s common for people with lung cancer to experience quite dramatic
changes in weight. The general rule is that if you notice a change in
your weight over 10 pounds, then there is definitely something wrong.
This should not occur if you have not changed your diet or exercise
routine significantly.
The change in weight can occur as a result of the way the body uses the
energy from your food. If you notice a change in weight that seems
unexplained, this could be an early warning sign of cancer, and you
should speak to your doctor as soon as you can.
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6. Hoarse voice
As well as coughing, you will likely notice that your voice has become
hoarse. The sound of your voice will change to the extent that others
will begin to notice. Your speaking voice will be much deeper and
raspier, and you may even find it difficult to raise your voice. Your
throat will become sore and your voice can become quiet. This is a
result of the tumor damaging the nerve that controls the voice box,
meaning not only will you sound hoarse, but your whole voice may change
quite drastically.
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7. Wheezing
On top of struggling to breathe, you may begin to wheeze. This will
occur as your airways become more and more constricted and obstructed.
Combined with inflammation caused by the cancer itself, it becomes more
and more difficult to breathe. The wheezing occurs when air goes through
such a tight hole that it begins to whistle when you breathe.
This symptom can be relieved and eased using medication, but serious
cancer treatment will be required in order to get rid of the wheezing
entirely.
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8. Blood in mucus
The cancer will gradually damage more and more tissue in your lung,
meaning that dead cells and dead tissue will begin to gather in your
airways. In an effort to remove this dead tissue, your body will produce
more and more mucus. Then, when the mucus had engulfed these dead cells,
it will gradually be pushed up your airways by cilia and through
coughing.
When you do cough mucus, you may notice that it contains blood. This is
a sign of cancer, though can also be a sign of other conditions. Seek
medical attention if you experience this. |
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