Contrary to popular beliefs, lung cancer is a widespread condition that doesn’t just affect excessive smokers or those who have been smoking for years. In the US alone, lung cancer is the leader in cancer deaths for both men and women. Furthermore, of these deaths, 20% of them were related to individuals who have never pulled a single smoke. People getting lung cancer with no history of nicotine or tobacco abuse can be caused by exposure to gasses such as radon or high unconcentrated levels of fumes and smoke, exposure to secondhand smoke, various exhausts that fill the air as well as asbestos exposure.
Lung cancer symptoms are not known to be obvious until cancer has already become widespread. However, before it gets to you seeing the doctor and going through tests, there are specific symptoms you can keep an eye out for. Knowing them could help you get out ahead.
1. Having A Consistent Cough
Of course, this isn’t to state that if you find yourself afflicted by a never-ending cough you have a life-threatening form of cancer. However, if you find that you’ve kept the cough months or years after that cold ended, then it may be more than an innocent cough. If this cough happens to be combined with heavy wheezing and blood then it may be time to visit a doctor.
Other things to look out for when you are coughing is what else is coming out of your mouth as you do so. A good majority of people with lung cancer (both knowingly and unknowingly) tend to have a very dry cough which sometimes spews out eroded mucus.
An important thing to remember is that a lot of these symptoms are also linked to viral lung infections, quite specifically chronic bronchitis which can mimic the above-mentioned symptoms. It is best to get it checked out by a doctor.
