Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnoses cancer in both men and woman across Scotland.
The disease was the most common cancer killer across the country in 2020, according to The Scottish Public Health Observatory, with more than 43,000 people across the UK diagnosed every year.
With the huge number of diagnosis, it is important to know the warning signs, with early detection possibly saving lives. Speaking to the Express, respiratory consultant Doctor Brian O’Connor of Cromwell Hospital, explained some of the symptoms to look out for, with three signs of concern meaning you should seek medical attention as soon as you can.
The expert explained that there are two main types of lung cancer - primary and secondary.
“Primary lung cancer starts in the lungs and there are different types of primary lung cancer, the most common being non-small cell lung cancer.
“Secondary lung cancer starts in another place in the body but spreads to the lungs.”
And in terms of symptoms, Doctor O'Connor warned:“Many people with lung cancer have no symptoms at first, or sometimes the early symptoms can be slight, such as a cough or feeling a bit out of breath.
“Other signs to watch out for include feeling exhausted more than usual, experiencing pain in your chest, unexplained weight loss and a loss of appetite.”
“If you’re coughing up blood, have a persistent cough or are short of breath, see your GP as soon as possible, especially if you’re over 40".
What are the symptoms of lung cancer?
According to the NHS, the main symptoms of lung cancer include:
- a cough that does not go away for over three weeks
- a long-standing cough that gets worse over time
- returning chest infection
- coughing up blood
- aches of pains when breathing and/or coughing
- breathlessness
- tiredness or lack of energy
- loss of appetite
- unexplained weightloss
There are also less common symptoms of lung cancer, including:
- a change in the appearance of your fingers - they may become more curved at the end of become larger (finger clubbing)
- difficulty or pain when swallowing
- wheezing
- a hoarse voice
- swelling of your face or neck
- persistent chest or shoulder pain
It is important to contact your GP if you have any of the symptoms noted above.
What are the risk factors of lung cancer?
Dr O’Connor commented: “Smoking is the biggest cause of lung cancer although you can also develop lung cancer if you’ve never smoked.
“Your risk of lung cancer is related to how much you smoke, how long you’ve been smoking and when you started smoking. It also depends on which type of cigarettes you smoke.
“You’re at a higher risk of developing lung cancer if you regularly breathe in other people’s tobacco smoke (passive smoking), so it’s best to keep the environment around you smoke free.
“Whilst it’s far more common in older adults (often 65 and older), it is still possible to develop lung cancer at a younger age.
“This common misconception could mean young people are less likely to be screened or seek medical help for symptoms.”
What treatments are available for lung cancer?
When it comes to treatment, Dr O’Connor added: “Treatment for lung cancer depends on the stage and type of lung cancer you have, how far it has spread and your overall health.
“As with all cancers, if diagnosed early it can make a difference on the type of treatment you have and outcomes following treatment.
“When diagnosed early and cancerous cells are confined to a small area, surgery may be used as the best treatment to remove the affected area of the lung.
“Radiotherapy can also be used to destroy the cancerous cells, this is favoured if your overall health means that surgery is an unsuitable option.
“If the cancer has spread around the body to make surgery or radiotherapy effective, then chemotherapy is used.”
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