Lung cancer accounts for 20% of all cancer deaths in the U.S. alone,making it one of the deadliest types of cancer. Knowing the causes and symptoms of lung cancer can be the difference between early detection and treatment or an untreatable diagnosis. Discussing with your doctor when and if you need to be screened for lung cancer is vital to staying healthy and protecting yourself.
What are the causes of lung cancer?
The number one cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoking. Smoking cigarettes is linked to over 80% of lung cancer deaths. Cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, and vapes also significantly increase your risk for lung cancer. Secondhand smoke increases your risk factor slightly, so avoid breathing secondhand smoke when possible.
A family history of lung cancer also increases your chances of developing lung cancer. While being related to someone who has battled lung cancer doesn’t guarantee you will develop it, make sure to tell your doctor your entire family history.
To find out if you’re at a higher risk for certain cancers due to your genetic background, you should schedule an appointment by filling out a very short form on our website or by calling 609-537-7043.
You likely won’t develop lung cancer from family history alone, but your doctor might elect to have you undergo periodic cancer screenings, especially if you have other risk factors. For example, if you’ve undergone radiation therapy in the past, you’re also at a slightly increased risk.
While you can’t control some factors, like family history, there are choices you can make that can increase or decrease your risk level. Not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke decreases your likelihood of developing lung cancer. Tell your doctor if any of these risk factors apply to you because you might be eligible for preventative screenings.
What are the signs of lung cancer?
It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of lung cancer so you can easily recognize them if you or a loved one are experiencing them. The stage at diagnosis can impact your treatment plan and outcome, which is why early detection is so critical. The most common lung cancer symptoms are:
- A cough that worsens over time
- Coughing up blood or dark-colored phlegm
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent and recurring infections like bronchitis and pneumonia
- Chest pain that worsens with deep breaths and coughing
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Tiredness and weakness
When lung cancer spreads to other parts of the body, the symptoms may look different. The most common signs of lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body include:
- Bone and joint pain
- Nervous system changes like weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
- Headaches or dizziness
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Enlarged or swollen lymph nodes
Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms. Screening sooner rather than later is always better, as finding cancer at earlier stages can significantly increase a patient’s range of treatment options. Symptoms differ from person to person, so be sure to discuss any significant changes or symptoms you’re experiencing with your doctor.
Along with any experience of symptoms, your risk factors and family history should be discussed with your doctor to determine when and if you need to be screened. While experiencing these symptoms doesn’t mean you have lung cancer, it could be a sign of another underlying issue that requires treatment.
What to do if you’re experiencing signs of lung cancer
If you are experiencing symptoms of lung cancer, have a high-risk factor, or have a reason to believe you might be experiencing lung cancer, schedule an appointment with your care provider as soon as possible. With any cancer, the sooner you get diagnosed, the better. An early diagnosis can mean a better treatment outcome.
If your doctor believes you are at risk for lung cancer, they might recommend you undergo screening. A low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan is the only recommended lung cancer screening. During an LCDT scan, you’ll receive a small amount of radiation through an IV while an X-ray machine takes detailed pictures of your lungs. The radiation allows the X-ray to take highly detailed and contrasted images of your lungs, allowing for a clear image. The screening takes about 10 minutes and is not painful.
Your doctor will only recommend an LCDT scan if they have reason to believe you might have lung cancer based on your symptoms and risk factors. Exposure to radiation during the scan does have some minor risks. The amount of radiation you’ll be exposed to is about the same as the amount you’d naturally be exposed to in a six-month span. This small amount of radiation is typically harmless, and the potential benefits of the procedure outweigh the risks of a lung cancer diagnosis.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of lung cancer or have risk factors, talk to your doctor right away about your options. Getting screened is the best way to protect your health. If you do have lung cancer, the earlier you get diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. Talk to your care provider about your risk factors, family history, and any symptoms you are experiencing.
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If you are at risk for lung cancer and have not been screened or are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, consider scheduling a lung cancer screening. Screening is the best way to determine if you have lung cancer and the first step to getting treatment if it’s necessary. You can schedule a screening at Capital Health’s Center for Lung Cancer by filling out a form online or by calling 844-303-LUNG (5864) and pressing “1.”