Lung cancer symptoms and screening: what you need to know



By ShareMD Connect

Lung cancer is a serious diagnosis, especially because most cases do not present symptoms until the disease has progressed and spread. However, since treatment is more effective when the cancer is discovered in its earlier stages, it's important to understand what signs to watch out for and what makes someone high risk for the disease so you can talk to your doctor about screening.

Symptoms

While many lung cancer symptoms can often be attributable to other causes, if you are in a high-risk category, such as a history of lung cancer in your family or you are a smoker, you'll want to let your doctor know about them right away. And even if you aren't high risk, if symptoms appear, especially if they become chronic, it’s essential to get them evaluated by your doctor as soon as possible.

In a best-case scenario, your doctor will be able to rule out lung cancer and treat your symptoms. But if there is even a slight chance that you have lung cancer, you'll want to undergo testing and, if diagnosed, consider getting a second opinion because the sooner you get an exact diagnosis and get into treatment, the better. 

Common Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Here are some of the most common symptoms of lung cancer:

  • Cough that won’t go away
  • Chest pain when you breathe, cough, or laugh
  • Hoarse throat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue 
  • Feeling weak
  • Infections like pneumonia or bronchitis that don’t resolve with medication
  • Wheezing 
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Coughing up blood or red-tinged phlegm

Screening

To date, many well-known organizations, including the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, recommend annual lung cancer screening with a Low Dose CT scan for people who are 50 to 80 years old and in fairly good health who:

-Currently smoke or have quit in the last 15 years

- Have at least a 20 pack-a-year smoking history (i.e. the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoked).

In addition to screening, it’s important for these high-risk individuals to be referred to a center with experience in lung cancer screening and treatment. They should also be informed about the risks and benefits of low-dose CT Scan screening and should receive counseling focused on helping them quit smoking if they currently smoke.

How Lung Cancer is Diagnosed

If your doctor feels lung cancer is a possible diagnosis, they will order various tests to learn more. The results might not immediately confirm a cancer diagnosis, but they will help rule out other causes of your symptoms.

Here are some of the tests you may undergo if lung cancer is suspected:

  • Imaging. A chest X-ray is usually the first strategy. If no mass is detected, a CT scan might reveal lesions that won’t typically appear on an X-ray.
  • Sputum Cytology. A sputum sample is examined under a microscope to see if cancerous cells are present. 
  • Biopsy. Your doctor takes a sample of cells to examine in a lab. A biopsy can be done in various ways, depending on your doctor's opinion. Some approaches are more invasive than others:
  • A needle biopsy, guided by ultrasound or CT images, extracts cells from suspicious areas. 
  • A bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive way of examining the inside of your lungs. A small tube with a camera and light is inserted down your throat and into the lungs.
  • In a mediastinoscopy, your doctor extracts tissue samples from your lymph nodes. Instruments are inserted through a small incision at the base of the neck. 

If your test results come back positive for lung cancer, your doctor should be able to tell you exactly what type of lung cancer you have, the stage it’s at, and your best options for treatment or refer you to a specialist. Getting a second opinion after an initial diagnosis is also generally a good idea to ensure your diagnosis is correct and that you've been given all your treatment options.

A lung cancer diagnosis has a lasting impact on your life and those around you. If you are in a high-risk group and experiencing any of the above symptoms, talk to your doctor and get screened as soon as possible. Not sure how to get the conversation started? Download our lung cancer screening checklist and take it with you to your next appointment.

Have more questions about understanding lung cancer symptoms, risk factors, or navigating specialty care? Schedule a free call with a ShareMD Nurse Educator, or take our assessment below to see if a second opinion may be right for you.