10 Early Symptoms Of Lung Cancer In Men And Women

early symptoms of lung cancer

According to the CDC, in the United States, lung cancer stands no.2 in the list of most diagnosed cancer among males and females.

Lung cancer is also called as the lung’s carcinoma, occurring when the cells growing in tissues of your lung are not controlled. If this problem is not treated, it may spread to other body parts. Lung cancer has 2 types: non-small and small cell lung cancer.

The no.1 risk factor causing lung cancer is smoking. However, this cancer may also develop in non-smokers.

In addition, those having a family history of this kind of cancers, particularly a sibling or parents, are at high risk of it. Besides, there are various risk factors contributing to lung cancer including exposing to radon gas, secondhand smoke or other harmful gasses.

In fact, lung cancer commonly happens in older people. It is estimated that almost 70 percentages of those diagnosed with lung cancer are after at the age of 65 while only less than 3 percentages of them are under the age of 45.

Lung cancer accounts for about 27 percentages of all deaths due to cancers.
The number of people dying of lung cancer annually is more than those dying of prostate, beast, and colon cancers.

This is because people notice that they have lung cancer only after they are at the later stage of this, which makes it much more difficult to cure. In several cases, lung cancer may not indicate any noticeable signs in the early stages.

Therefore, it is very important to know the possible symptoms of lung cancer. If needed, you may consult a doctor to get diagnosed with this in the early stages. Today, VKool.com introduces top 10 early symptoms of lung cancer in men. This article shows the early symptoms of lung cancer in both men and women gathering from reliable sources. Keep following this writing to know if you are in this condition!

Top 10 Early Symptoms Of Lung Cancer In Men And Women

1. Coughing Up Blood

symptoms of lung cancer - coughing up blood

If you are suffering from hemoptysis (coughing up blood), you should immediately see a doctor to find out the exact cause whether the blood amount is large or small.

Coughing up blood can show that you are having lung cancer, especially if you have smoked for a long time. Both non-small and small cell lung carcinoma can lead to this symptom.

Besides, you can also cough more than usual or cough with a hoarse or deeper sound. Moreover, you may suffer from breathlessness, chest pain, wheezing, fever or other signs and symptoms of lung cancer.

However, there are other possible reasons for coughing up blood and infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, and certain cardiovascular problems.

2. Shortness Of Breath

symptoms of lung cancer - shortness of breath

When you have shortness of breath or become easily winded, you can have lung cancer. In fact, 9 of 10 people advancing lung cancer experienced this symptom.

Nevertheless, shortness of breath may also be caused due to other health problems such as anemia, clogged arteries, chronic bronchitis, a respiratory infection, oxygen deficiency in high-altitude areas, and heavy workouts.

In normal cases, you suffer from breathlessness when you do not take in an adequate amount of oxygen and hence, your lungs need to be supplied more air.

If you suffer from lung cancer, you may experience shortness of breath if your airway is blocked or if there is a fluid’s buildup of a lung tumor in your chest.

Hence, when you suddenly suffer from breathlessness without doing any heavy task, you should see your doctor to get some advice.

Learn more: How to treat shortness of breath at home naturally – 6 tips

3. Frequent Chest Infections

symptoms of lung cancer - frequent chest infections

Frequently experiencing chest infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis in spite of having an intake of antibiotics can be one of the possible symptoms of poor lung health conditions including cancer.

When an airway is blocked with a tumor, it may have an infection buildup behind this blockage, which makes it more difficult to cure even use antibiotics. Plus, you may also have a nagging and dry cough lingering for many weeks.

If your bronchitis or pneumonia does not respond to cure, you’d better see a doctor to get checked your lungs to ensure if you have the possibility of cancer.

Read more: 14 natural home remedies for chest congestion and cough

4. Hoarse And Raspy Voice

symptoms of lung cancer - hoarse and raspy voice

Most of us occasionally experience hoarseness, particularly when related to laryngitis.

Hoarseness may also be caused due to inhaling respiratory tract irritants, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), persistent coughing, and allergies.

Hoarseness associated with lung cancer happens when a lung tumor affects to the nerve that is responsible for controlling your vocal chords. Because of cancer, your vocal chords will be irritated and also inflamed, which makes your voice be changed.

If the volume and pitch of your voice change and this change lasts more than two to three weeks without any explained reason, you should instantly see a doctor. Persistent hoarseness went with coughing up blood, shortness of breath or wheezing may indicate that you are at high risk of lung cancer.

See more: 18 Tips On How To Treat A Hoarse Voice Fast & Naturally

5. Nail Clubbing

symptoms of lung cancer - nail clubbing

Nail clubbing is one of the early symptoms of lung cancer you should notice. This condition causes many changes in toenails or fingernails such as making your nail beds softer, changing the angle between the nail and the cuticle as well as downward curving of your nail.

In fact, the most popular reason causing nail clubbing is the decrease of oxygen amount in the blood caused by some lung or heart problems. Averagely 3 out of 10 those having non-small cell lung cancer have a risk of developing this symptom.

Hence, if you suffer from nail clubbing accompanied with other symptoms mentioned in this writing, immediately consult your doctor.

Keep reading to get more information about early symptoms of lung cancer!

6. Unexplained Weight Loss

symptoms of lung cancer - unexplained weight loss

Someday, if you suddenly lose weight without having any explained reason, it can be indicated that there is a presence of a kind of cancers in your body.

In a total of 10 people having lung cancer, 6 of them experienced that they suddenly lost weight although they did not try to do it. Weight loss can also be caused by other kinds of cancer, such as pancreatic, esophageal or stomach cancer.

When you have cancer, your weight will be lost as cancer cells will use energy stored in your body. In addition, your body can also not absorb all the protein, fat, and carbohydrates from foods you consumed. Typically, apart from weight loss, you will experience some symptoms such as loss of appetite, constant fatigue, and weakness.

Learn more: The 3 week diet system review – will Brian Flatt’s diet work?

7. Difficulty Swallowing

symptoms of lung cancer - difficulty swallowing

Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) popularly occurs when you suffer from a sore throat. Nevertheless, if you suffer from pain while you try to swallow liquid or solid foods and this condition persists for several weeks or even gets more serious, you are at high risk of stomach or throat cancer as well as lung cancer.

If you have lung cancer, you can suffer from some additional symptoms such as coughing or choking while eating.

A study in 2024 affirms that dysphagia is a common sign of lung cancer.

Therefore, if you have a difficulty in swallowing, instantly see a doctor to find out the exact cause and get the best treatments.

8. Bone And Chest Pain

symptoms of lung cancer - bone and chest pain

Chest pain worsening with laughing, deep breathing or coughing is often one of the early symptoms of lung cancer. This pain occurs when the cancer cells spread to the lung’s lining.

Cancer can spread to your bones in advanced stages and you can also feel pain in your arms, back, shoulder, neck or in other body parts. You typically feel more pain at night while you have a rest.

Different factors affect to the severity and duration of pain, which includes local effects of the cancer tumor and distant or regional spread of it.

A 2024 study reported that there are 3 main reasons causing pain in patients having advanced lung cancer, including chest wall disease (21%), skeletal metastatic disease (34%), and pan coast tumor (31%).

If you suffer from pain in your chest or bone for more than 4 weeks, consult a doctor to get the exact cause.

Learn more: How to treat chest pain naturally at home – 6 tips

9. Wheezing Sound

symptoms of lung cancer - wheezing sound

If your airways are constricted, inflamed or clogged, it causes a whistling or wheezing sound when breathing out.

The most popular reasons causing wheezing are allergies and asthma. However, it can indicate that there is a lung cancer tumor in your body.

If the condition of wheezing lasts although you do not suffer from asthma, let see your doctor to get checked.

Read more: 6 Solutions On How To Stop Wheezing Fast At Home

10. Chronic Coughing

symptoms of lung cancer - chronic coughing

Most of the people suffer from coughs and colds. However, if you suffer from a chronic cough lasting 3 weeks or more without having any symptom of a cold, you are at risk of lung cancer.

Typically, patients complain that they feel pain on the chest extending up into your shoulder or down your arm when they have a dry cough or a cough with phlegm.

If you experience a persistent cough lingering for several weeks and cannot treat with medication, you should see your doctor now. With some X-rays or tests, your doctor will find out exactly what causes it and have the plan to appropriately treat it.

Here are some additional tips that you should follow to reduce the risk of lung cancer:

  • If you have never smoked, do not try to smoke. If you are a smoker, immediately give it up.
  • Avoid exposing to secondhand smoke.
  • Take essential steps to remove radon if your house has it.
  • Remember not to expose to airborne carcinogens when you go to work.
  • Do not go to industrialized and highly polluted areas.
  • Have plants indoor such as a peace lily, fern, aloe Vera, bamboo palm, English Ivy, etc. to improve the air quality of your office and home.
  • Do exercise every day and stay active.
  • Have a healthy diet with nutritious vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
  • Deeply breathe about 10 minutes for several times daily.
  • Avoid anxiety and stress, which adversely affects to your health.
  • Do yoga and meditation to relax the body and mind.
  • Keep drinking ginger tea twice or thrice per day to cleanse and detox the lungs.
  • Remember to consult a doctor before taking any supplements or medications.
  • Get health checkups regularly and maintain proper hygiene.

Recommended articles: How to increase your lung capacity for singing & running: 7 tips

What are the warning signs of cancer – 8 early signs

Visit our Health page if you would like to know more about signs & symptoms of other conditions and diseases. Hope that this article of top 10 early symptoms of lung cancer can help you know the early and common symptoms of lung cancer in both men and women. If you have any concern related to any problem, leave your comments here.  Also, if you know more symptoms of lung cancer in men, share with us.

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