What Are Some of the First Signs of Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is most frequently associated with smoking, but according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10-20% of people who develop lung cancer have never smoked or smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime. While smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, other risk factors include exposure to radon, hazardous chemicals,
asbestos
, and particle pollution.
Early Signs of Lung Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer often has few symptoms in its early stages. Many people don’t experience symptoms until it spreads. But in some cases, you may detect symptoms early on. If you see a doctor immediately, the cancer may be more easily treatable. Some of the earliest signs of lung cancer to watch for include:
- A persistent cough that doesn’t go away or gets worse
- Hoarseness
- Chest pain that gets worse with deep breaths or coughing
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite
- Bronchitis of pneumonia infections that don’t go away or keep recurring
- Exhaustion and weakness
- New onset of wheezing
Once lung cancer begins to spread, you may have additional symptoms, including:
- Bone pain, such as pain in the back or hips
- Yellowing of your eyes or skin
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Changes to your nervous system like headaches, dizziness, loss of balance, and numbness in an arm or leg
Early Screening for Lung Cancer
While lung cancer can be difficult to detect through symptoms in its early stages, regular screening can help those at risk because of smoking or exposure to asbestos or harmful chemicals. More recently, medical providers have used low-dose CT (LDCT) scans to find abnormal areas of the lung that could be cancerous. Yearly LDCT scans have thus far proven more effective than annual chest X-rays at detecting early lung cancer. Ask your doctor about screening if you are at risk.
You Need an Experienced Attorney
If you or someone you love is facing a lung cancer diagnosis because of exposure to harmful chemicals or asbestos, we may be able to help. The skilled attorneys at the Madeksho Law Firm have been helping people get the compensation they deserve since 1972. Find out how we can help you. Call us at 888-910-6376 or contact us online to schedule your consultation today. Your initial consultation is free, and you never pay a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
