Lung cancer is now one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the world. It is usually associated with heavy smokers, but now has become a major concern for both occasional smokers and non-smokers alike. Lung cancer now kills more than twice the number of women than breast cancer kills, and is also found to be a lot more common in men than prostate cancer. Recent research showed women are 1.5 times more at risk of being diagnosed with the disease than men are, even though they smoke less.
Lung Cancer takes many years to develop in the body with its symptoms often over-looked by many. When the disease is finally diagnosed, it is usually found to be at a late stage. This late stage is the main reason for its high mortality rate throughout the world. However, lung cancer has many obvious signs when it is present, together with many more subtle signs. These more subtle signs are often detected at a later stage than the more obvious ones.
Warning Signs
1. One main sign is a persistent cough (smokers cough) that does not go away. This usually gets attributed to something else, or may even be accepted as just one of the side effects of smoking. Long persistent coughs should always be checked out by a doctor.
2. Coughing up small amounts of blood is another sign of lung cancer, although not always, as it can often be attributed to other conditions. Either way it is not normal and should once again be checked out at an early stage.
3. Wheezing and shortness of breath are often over-looked signs that simply get put down to either being a little out of trim or slightly overweight. Even a sufferer may think that it is something to do with getting a little older.
4. Constant rather than intermittent pains in the chest, shoulders and back are again over-looked signs of lung cancer. These usually get put down to the after effects of playing football, doing exercise, or even working excessively.
5. Continued and excessive tiredness even after a good nights sleep are often symptoms of the disease too. A doctor should be seen when the tiredness cannot be explained, especially if ones lifestyle does not justify it.
6. A notable weight loss when eating normally should be another cause for concern, as lung cancer causes a change in the bodies metabolism. This may be welcomed at first especially if one is of a chubby build, but if excessive, should be checked out.
7. Recurrent chest infections or pneumonia are signs that the airways may be blocked, usually caused by small spots growing on the inside of the tubes which are associated with cancer. Overtime these small spots can grow into malignant tumours.
If you have any of the above signs, an appointment should be made to see a doctor as early as possible. If the doctor is unable to reassure as to the reasons why these signs are present, it is recommended that a second or even third opinion be sought.
Philip Albert Edmonds-Hunt is from the County of Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. He has travelled most of Europe, and he has lived in Spain on more than one occasion. Philip has also travelled much of the USA and now lives and works as a Freelance Writer and English Teacher in Mexico. He is the owner of "The Oxford Quill," a small but reliable business offering a range of services such as, "Professional Article Writing, 'Proofreading, and Website Design." Philip's business also offers an extensive selection of professionally written e-books. If you are interested in reading about alternative cure cancer treatments, check out: https://sites.google.com/site/theoxfordquill/cancer
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