Doctors Are Begging You to Pay Attention to This Early Lung Cancer Sign
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, an effort to educate everyone about the second most common cancer in the U.S. Maybe you think you already know all the facts. If you don’t smoke and steer clear of second-hand smoke, you’re in the clear, right? Not necessarily.
While smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer, as oncologists explain here, there are other ways people unknowingly increase their risk. They also share what the earliest signs of lung cancer are so those who are experiencing them can see their doctor ASAP for treatment. This is key because, as with other cancers, early treatment for lung cancer increases the chances of recovery.
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The #1 Early Sign of Lung Cancer, According to Oncologists
Dr. Yelena Patsiornik, MD, a hematologist and medical oncologist at White Plains Hospital’s Center for Cancer Care, explains that what’s tricky about lung cancer is that it often doesn’t cause symptoms until it’s advanced. However, she says some people do experience early symptoms. The most common one, she says, is persistent coughing that doesn’t go away or gets worse over time.
Dr. Amy Cummings, MD, PhD., a thoracic oncologist and physician-scientist at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, concurred that a new cough that doesn’t go away or gets increasingly worse is an early sign of lung cancer. Both oncologists say that other signs of lung cancer include coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (mucus), hoarseness in your voice, feeling weak or tired, recurrent lung infections like bronchitis or pneumonia that don’t go away or keep coming back, unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or laugh.
“Many of these symptoms can happen for reasons other than lung cancer, but if they’re lasting or getting worse over six weeks, make sure to schedule an appointment and bring it up with their doctor so they can be appropriately evaluated,” Dr. Cummings says.
Related: Here’s What You Should Never, Ever Do If You Want to Lower Your Risk of Lung Cancer
The reason why it’s important to know the early signs of lung cancer is because the earlier lung cancer is caught, the higher the chances are of recovery. “Early-stage lung cancer is highly curable with early intervention,” Dr. Patsiornik says. She explains that the main factor that affects treatment is the stage of the cancer at diagnosis, but other factors include where in the lungs the cancer is located, the type of cells the cancer formed in and if there are any other underlying health conditions co-occurring.
Remember: Often lung cancer doesn’t have any signs at all until it’s advanced. For this reason, Dr. Patsiornik says it’s important to get screened for lung cancer annually if you are between the ages of 50 and 80 if you smoke or have quit smoking within the last 15 years.
Related: An Oncologist’s Advice for Finding a Path Forward When Living With Lung Cancer
How to Lower Your Risk for Lung Cancer
As you might expect, smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. An estimated 90% of lung cancers are caused by smoking. But even if you don’t smoke, there are other risk factors to be aware of.
“There are more non-exposure lung cancers these days, and as many as one in four lung cancers are in people who don’t have an exposure history,” Dr. Cummings says. She says that there are a lot of guesses as to why this is, with the most likely answer being that it doesn’t just come down to one reason. She says some of these reasons include prolonged exposure to indoor cooking, second-hand smoke, a family history of lung cancer and having a pre-existing lung disease. Dr. Patsiornik adds that exposure to asbestos, radon and smoke from wood burning are also risk factors for lung cancer.
Besides avoiding these risk factors, Dr. Patsiornik says that one way to lower your risk for lung cancer is to test for radon. “Radon is a radioactive gas that can build up in homes and cause lung cancer. If you live in an area with high radon levels, test your home for radon and take steps to reduce the level if it’s high,” she says.
Dr. Patsiornik says that it’s also important for workplaces to follow health and safety guidelines to avoid exposure to carcinogens. “If your workplace contains chemicals that can cause cancer, wear protective gear and limit your exposure,” she says. Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet also help lower the risk for lung cancer, according to Dr. Patsiornik.
There is a lot you can do to lower your risk for lung cancer. If you have any questions about your individual risk or need help quitting smoking, talk to your doctor. The conversation just might save your life.
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Related: Living with Lung Cancer: A Year in the Clear
Sources
Dr. Yelena Patsiornik, MD, hematologist and medical oncologist at White Plains Hospital’s Center for Cancer Care
Dr. Amy Cummings, MD, PhD, thoracic oncologist and physician-scientist at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
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