Given the disease’s location, many symptoms of lung cancer are commonly associated with coughing or breathing difficulties, such as coughing up blood and respiratory pain. An expert reveals some lesser-known signs that may surprise you.
Lung cancer, including both small cell and non-small cell types, ranks as the second most prevalent cancer among both men and women in the United States, excluding skin cancer.
The American Cancer Society’s projections for 2023 highlight:
- Around 238,340 new cases of lung cancer (117,550 affecting men and 120,790 affecting women).
- An estimated 127,070 deaths were attributed to lung cancer (67,160 in men and 59,910 in women).
Undoubtedly, lung cancer stands as the predominant cause of cancer-related mortality in the US, contributing to approximately 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths. The toll from lung cancer surpasses the combined fatalities from colon, breast, and prostate cancers annually.
Recognizing the warning signs becomes imperative, potentially serving as a life-saving measure.
The Surprising Telltale Signs of Lung Cancer You Should Know Before Its Too Late
Given the disease’s location, many symptoms of lung cancer are commonly associated with coughing or breathing difficulties, such as coughing up blood and respiratory pain. However, there are less familiar indicators that may surprise you. In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, Chemist Click pharmacist Abbas Kanani highlighted an “unusual” warning sign of lung cancer related to the fingers.
Finger clubbing emerges as one such symptom, as described by Abbas Kanani. This phenomenon results in the fingertips appearing enlarged, creating a clubbed appearance. The nails may become more curved and glossy, but this distinctive sign may take years to manifest.
“Changes in the appearance of your fingers,” Abbas told the news outlet, “such as becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger may be due to large cells, called megakaryocytes, getting stuck in the small blood vessels in the tips of the fingers, however, the cause is not entirely clear.”
He further explained, “It is a less common symptom of lung cancer. It usually affects the top of the fingers on both hands and generally takes years to develop. You may notice that your nail bed becomes soft. Nails may look like they aren’t attached anymore and the angle where your nail meets the cuticle gets wider.”
Cancer Research UK emphasizes that finger clubbing can be indicative of various underlying health issues.
This includes cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Additionally, finger clubbing may be present in individuals with thyroid problems or other conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. It’s noteworthy that many individuals with these conditions do not experience finger clubbing.
In addition to finger clubbing, the most common symptoms of lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, you should be vigilant about include:
- Persistent or worsening cough
- Coughing up blood or sputum with a rust-colored tint
- Chest pain exacerbated by deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
- Hoarseness
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue or weakness
- Chronic infections like bronchitis and pneumonia that persist or recur
- New onset of wheezing
In cases where lung cancer metastasizes to other body parts, it may result in:
- Bone pain, such as discomfort in the back or hips
- Alterations in the nervous system, including headaches, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, dizziness, balance issues, or seizures, signifying the spread of cancer to the brain
- Jaundice, characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes, indicative of cancer affecting the liver
- Swelling of lymph nodes, particularly those in the neck or above the collarbone, as a result of the spread of immune system cells.
Regarding lung cancer risk factors, According to the charity, smoking cigarettes stands as the primary contributor, accounting for more than 70% of cases. Smoking cannabis, especially when mixed with tobacco, may also heighten the risk. Despite smoking less tobacco than regular cigarette smokers, cannabis users often inhale more deeply and retain smoke in their lungs for extended periods.
Furthermore, exposure to radon, a natural radioactive gas originating from trace amounts of uranium in rocks and soils, can elevate the risk of lung cancer, particularly in smokers. Additionally, exposure to certain substances like arsenic and asbestos may increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer. Understanding and mitigating these risk factors is crucial for maintaining lung health.
Image Credit: Photo by Andrik Langfield on Unsplash