Let's Know the Symptoms of Lung Cancer Early on

Lung cancer is a disease that many people probably already know. The main cause of lung cancer is smoking. In cigarettes there are cancer-causing substances (carcinogens) that trigger damage to the lining cells of the lungs. Cell and tissue changes in the lungs change rapidly in heavy smokers.

According to its definition, lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells in lung tissue which can be caused by a number of environmental carcinogens, especially cigarette smoke. Seeing this urgency, it is important for us to immediately go for an examination at a health facility immediately after feeling the symptoms of lung cancer.

This cancer starts in the lungs and most often occurs in people who smoke. The two main types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Causes of lung cancer include smoking, second-hand smoke, exposure to certain toxins, and family history.

This cancer can affect patients at any age. This condition can be managed by reducing your risk factors. Please discuss with your doctor for more information.

But many lung cancer patients get help late because they are late or don't realize the symptoms that appear. Due to the late anticipation, the success of the treatment is also low because it ignores the various symptoms that appear from the start.

Therefore we should recognize some of the following symptoms of lung cancer which are often overlooked:

1. Cough constantly

Coughs can be caused by minor illnesses, such as a cold or allergies. But if the cough persists and doesn't stop for a long time, this might be a sign of a more serious disease, and one of them is lung cancer.

2. Coughing up blood

Coughing accompanied by blood is definitely not a good sign for one's body health. Cough accompanied by blood may be one of the symptoms of lung cancer, although further examination is needed to be sure.

3. Shortness of breath

If you suddenly become short of breath when climbing stairs or just walking normally, it could be a form of lung cancer, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. Difficulty breathing when sitting or lying down can be a symptom. That's why immediately consult a doctor if these symptoms appear.

4. Asthma

If you are diagnosed with asthma when you are an adult or an old age, you should be more vigilant because it could be a sign of lung cancer. According to Flores, asthma can indeed be an unusual symptom of lung cancer. Therefore, it is highly recommended to immediately do a screening to find out whether or not a malignant tumor is present in the lungs.

5. Chest pain

Apart from being a sign and symptom of a heart attack, chest pain can also be a symptom of lung cancer. The sign is that the chest, back, and shoulders often hurt and are often accompanied by a feeling of tightness in the chest.

6. Feeling very tired

Weight loss and decreased appetite can be signs of lung cancer. In addition, this symptom will be followed by feeling excessively tired, even though we are just doing our daily activities as usual.

7. Pain throughout the body

Starting with a headache, then disturbed balance then numbness in the limbs can be a sign or symptom of lung cancer. It could even be that the cancer has spread to the brain or spinal cord. Meanwhile, if the skin and eyes are yellow, it is possible that the cancer has spread to the liver to the lymph nodes. Lung cancer often does not show signs or symptoms until it is in an advanced stage and that is why many people with lung cancer are newly diagnosed with lung cancer when it has spread to other parts of the body. This is where it is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle so that the risk of lung cancer can be reduced.

8. Weight loss

People who suffer from lung cancer will usually lose weight drastically, more or less the same as the symptoms of TB. This is caused by cancer cells using energy and taking up all the nutrients in the body. Therefore, do not ignore changes in weight, especially if this occurs when you do not make changes to your diet or lifestyle.

9. Smoking habits and exposure to cigarette smoke

Smoking habits or too often exposed to cigarette smoke increases the risk of lung cancer. Therefore, you are advised to stop smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.

10. Exposure to radon gas

Radon is a natural gas produced from the breakdown of uranium in soil, water and rocks. Exposure to or inhaling radon gas in large quantities is one of the factors that can increase the risk of lung cancer.

11. Asbestos exposure

Working in a mine or factory can expose you to asbestos. This can put you more at risk for lung cancer. Especially if you are an active smoker.

12. Air pollution

Being in a place with high levels of air pollution for too long can increase the risk of developing lung cancer. About 5 percent of deaths from lung cancer worldwide are caused by air pollution.

Lung cancer can be treated in various ways, depending on the patient's condition and the severity of the cancer. The main treatment for early-stage lung cancer is surgery. If the cancer has reached an advanced stage, then treatment can be done with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Prevention is the cheapest way to reduce the development of lung cancer. Eliminating the smoking habit is the main goal of lung cancer prevention, and smoking cessation is an important prevention in this process. For someone who is at risk of developing lung cancer, routine checks should be done to a Lung Specialist at Hermina Podomoro Hospital. In addition, it is recommended to exercise regularly and eat a healthy and nutritionally balanced diet.