Lung Cancer Symptoms: This Breathing Pattern Could Indicate The Fatal Disease

With about 234,030 individuals diagnosed every year, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. While most people diagnosed with the condition are above 65 years of age, a very small number of individuals younger than 45 have been affected by it, according to Cancer.org.

Smokers who have a 30-pack year or more smoking history and older individuals aged 55-80 are at higher risk of developing lung cancer. Since a man’s chances of getting lung cancer are as high as 1 in 15, it is important to be aware of the warning signs and symptoms to get treated at the earliest.

Unfortunately, the early stages of lung cancer do not show any signs or symptoms, which is why most people are diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer. Only when the disease develops, do people experience certain symptoms of the deadly disease. When the mutated cells in the lungs divide in an uncontrolled manner to form a tumor, it leads to lung cancer. Depending on how much the tumor has spread, the survival outcomes of a patient can be detected.

The warning sign to watch for: Pain with breathing

Painful respiration can be a warning sign for detecting lung cancer at its earliest stages. You might experience chest pain and discomfort that might have resulted from enlarged lymph nodes or metastasis around the pleural lining around your lungs, says Healthline.

Shortness of breath is another most common lung cancer symptom. Such changes in breathing patterns can be due to the blockage or narrowing of the airway or due to the fluid from lung tumor which might accumulate in the chest.

If you happen to feel winded or difficult to breathe, especially after climbing stairs or doing other activities that were previously easy, do not ignore it. Report them to your GP and get evaluated.

Other symptoms of lung cancer to watch out for:

• When you have these cough symptoms such as lingering cough, chronic cough, coughing up blood or an unusual amount of mucus, It’s time to make an appointment with your doctor.
• Wheezing- (Since your airway might be blocked, inflamed or constricted), you might experience a whistling sound when you breathe.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Changes in your voice: sounding deeper, hoarse or raspier? Do get checked.
• Pain symptoms: Bone pain, Chest pain and/or headache

Early screening is key

Chest x-rays might not be very effective in detecting lung cancer at its early stages, you might need a low-dose CT scan.