Early Warning Signs of Lung Cancer That Women and Men Shouldn’t Ignore

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both genders. Prostate is the first for men, and breast cancer is the first for women. Although the symptoms and warning signs vary as man and women suffer from different types of lung cancer and they experience different symptoms.

Lung Cancer in Women

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer that women develop. Generally, this cancer tends to spread on the outer part of the lungs, it’s symptoms are less detectable that the other lung cancer. In large number of cases, adenocarcinoma tumors can grow in size and spread throughout the body before they are detected  

Early symptoms are:

• Fatigue
• Back and shoulder pain
• Shortness of breath when exercising

Once the cancer gets larger, then symptoms may include:

• Persistent cough
• Chest, shoulders and back pain
• Increased mucus and a change in color
• Shortness of breath
• Hoarse voice
• Harsh sound while breathing (medically referred to as stridor)
• Coughing up mucus or phlegm tinged with blood
• Coughing up blood

This type of lung cancer is generally hard to detect only when it is in the most advanced stages. Once the lung cancer spreads in this manner, symptoms can be felt in many different parts of the body (other than the lungs) like lymph nodes, bones, brain, liver and adrenal glands. This can cause a variety of symptoms, among which include:

• Appetite loss and unexplained weight loss
• Loss of muscle mass
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Bone or joint pain
• Bone fractures not caused by an accidental injury
• Memory loss
• Swelling in the face and/or neck
• Blood clots

Lung Cancer in Men

Squamous cell carcinomas otherwise known as non-small cell lung cancer are generally developed in the central part of the lungs, near the main airway (bronchus). This results in an obstruction of air leading to symptoms that may be more obviously related to lung cancer compared to the type most commonly experienced by women (adenocarcinoma).

Some of these symptoms include:

• Chronic cough
• Wheezing
• Repeatedly experiencing lung infections like pneumonia and bronchitis

The symptoms of lung cancer in men obstruct the airway more than lung cancer in women. A study shows that men overlook these warning signs. more often than women due to lifestyle habits such as smoking.

In order to reduce the risk of lung cancer, you need to stop smoking.

Source: healthiestuniverse