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Recognize the Symptoms of Early Stage Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the deadly diseases suffered by many people. Lung cancer sufferers often realize the emergence of symptoms of this disease and are only diagnosed when they have entered an advanced stage. Therefore, it is important for you to know the symptoms of early-stage lung cancer, so that it can be treated early. Lung cancer ranks first as the highest cause of death from cancer in the world, namely 1.7 million deaths in 2015 according to the World Health Organization (WHO). One of the causes of this high death rate is due to the difficulty of diagnosing symptoms arising from lung cancer early, so that many new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed when it has entered an advanced stage that is difficult to treat.

Early Stage Lung Cancer Symptoms

It is not easy to realize the presence of symptoms of lung cancer in the early stages, because most of the symptoms of this disease are not typical and are often similar to other diseases, such as tuberculosis, pleural effusion, pneumonia, bronchitis, and lung abscesses. Symptoms that can occur in early-stage lung cancer include:
  • Continuous cough

  • Coughing can be caused by a mild condition, such as a cold or respiratory tract irritation. However, if the cough does not stop for more than two weeks, this could be a sign of another more serious illness, one of which is lung cancer. Immediately consult a doctor to get a complete examination including physical examination and support, such as chest X-rays.
  • Bleeding cough

  • Chronic cough accompanied by blood or phlegm mixed with blood spots, can be a sign of lung cancer. To be sure, further investigation is needed.
  • Shortness of breath

  • If you suddenly feel out of breath when doing simple activities, this can be a sign of early stage lung cancer. Shortness of breath can occur due to cancer cells that block the respiratory tract, or a buildup of fluid around the lungs that compresses the lungs. However, shortness of breath is not only fixated on lung cancer. The appearance of shortness of breath during activities as usual, can also be a sign of heart failure.
  • Chest pain

  • Lung cancer can also cause pain in the chest, shoulders, or back. Usually this pain is sharp, blunt, appears continuously, or sometimes disappear. Pain in the chest can resemble a sign of heart disease, but chest pain due to lung cancer will usually feel more severe when breathing deeply, coughing, or laughing.
  • The voice became hoarse

  • Hoarseness generally appears when you are experiencing inflammation in the respiratory tract. However, if the voice turns hoarse suddenly and lasts more than two weeks, then you should be vigilant. It could be that this change in voice is a symptom of lung cancer. This condition occurs when cancer cells affect the nerves that regulate the vocal cords, causing changes in your voice.
  • Wheezing

  • The wheezing sound that accompanies you when you inhale or exhale in adulthood can be a sign of certain health conditions, such as allergies or asthma. However, you are not advised to assume it as a normal asthma condition, because wheezing can also be a symptom of lung cancer. Immediately consult a doctor if wheezing does not disappear after treatment.
  • Weight loss

  • Usually people who suffer from cancer, including lung cancer, will lose weight drastically. This is caused by cancer cells that use all of the body's energy and nutrients. Therefore, do not ignore changes in your weight, especially if it occurs when you do not change your diet or lifestyle.
In addition to the symptoms described above, there are also some other signs that can indicate lung cancer, such as fever, fatigue, difficulty eating or swallowing, loss of appetite, swollen fingers, and the appearance of suspicious lumps on your body. For this reason, it is important that you detect early symptoms of early-stage lung cancer, so that you can increase the success of your treatment.

Risk Factors for Lung Cancer

There are many risk factors that can underlie someone suffering from lung cancer. Here are some risk factors that you need to know and avoid:
  • Smokers, both active and passive

  • Frequent exposure to cigarette smoke can increase your risk of lung cancer. Therefore, do not smoke and avoid people who actively smoke.
  • Radon gas exposure

  • Natural gas produced from the breakdown of uranium in the soil, water and rocks is one of the factors that can increase the risk of lung cancer.
  • Exposure to asbestos

  • A person who works with asbestos, such as in a mine or factory, is more at risk of developing lung cancer. Especially if you are an active smoker.
  • Air pollution

  • Too long in a place that has a high level of air pollution makes the risk of lung cancer become greater. About 5 percent of cases of lung cancer deaths worldwide are caused by air pollution.
  • Heredity

  • If a family member has lung cancer, you are more likely to suffer from the disease. However, research shows that the link between heredity and the emergence of lung cancer is also related to environmental factors in the family, such as smoking and exposure to pollution in the neighborhood.
After knowing the various risk factors for lung cancer, you are expected to realize the importance of stopping smoking and living a healthy lifestyle from now on. By quitting smoking, you can extend your life expectancy and reduce your risk of developing lung cancer later in life. Consult a doctor regularly to conduct routine health checks (medical check-ups) is also an important step to detect early certain diseases, including lung cancer. This early examination is recommended although there are no early signs and symptoms of lung cancer. Early examination is especially recommended for those who have high risk factors, such as heavy smokers who have been smoking for a long time, even though they have now stopped smoking.

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