If any of these 6 unusual signs appear, you should try to get it checked out as soon as possible.
One of the most common cancers in the UK, lung cancer is also the deadliest. Knowing the symptoms of the disease is crucial to ensure you get a timely diagnosis and any treatment you may need, as soon as possible. Most cases of lung cancer are preventable, so it may be important to make lifestyle changes - such as stopping smoking - if you are at high risk of developing the disease, the Mirror reports.
Lung cancer is difficult to detect at an early stage - according to the National Health Service (NHS) - because its symptoms mostly appear later, so it's important to become familiar with even the lesser-known and less common signs of the disease - especially if you're at high risk. If any of these 6 unusual signs appear, you should try to get it checked out as soon as possible. It may be nothing, but it's better to protect yourself than to regret it when it comes to your health, and make an appointment with your GP to get checked out.
For the most part, lung cancer affects older people, with 40% of cases diagnosed in people over the age of 75, according to the NHS. Smokers are the group most at risk of developing lung cancer, accounting for 70% of cases.
There are 6 less common symptoms of lung cancer that still require your attention. First of all, if you find that you are wheezing, this may be a sign of the disease and requires medical attention. Secondly, if your voice becomes consistently hoarse when you speak, you should get this checked out, or if you find that it has become difficult to swallow - this is called dysphagia - or painful when you swallow, you should book an appointment with your GP.
The fourth less common symptom of lung cancer is a change in the appearance of your fingers - if they are swollen at the tips around the nails, you should seek a medical examination. Any pain that persists in the shoulder, back or chest may also be a symptom of lung cancer. Finally, there is one symptom that may appear on your face if you have this disease: swelling. This can also appear in the neck, so if you have unexplained swelling on your face or neck, see a doctor to have it checked out.
More common symptoms of lung cancer include unexplained weight loss or decreased appetite, a persistent cough that gets worse over time, or a cough that stays for more than three weeks. In addition, coughing up blood can be a common sign of lung cancer, as can recurrent chest infections. If you constantly feel tired, without energy or breathless, you should see your GP, and the last common symptom of lung cancer to look out for is pain when breathing in and out. | BGNES
