Unlike some cancers - for example mammograms for breast cancer - we don't have a screening tool for everyone to look for lung cancer (see criteria below.) For most people who develop lung cancer we have to rely on an awareness of symptoms.
But is that working? No. 40% of people already have stage 4 lung cancer when they are diagnosed, meaning it has spread to other regions of the body, and hence, isn't curable.
So what are people missing? The Global Lung Cancer Coalition recently supported research to answer that question. What symptoms are people aware of and what are they not?
Breathlessness and short-term cough were fairly well known as possible symptoms.
What are people missing? Here are 2 biggies :
- A Persistent Cough - meaning one that lasts for at least 2 weeks
- Coughing Up Blood - even a tiny amount of blood on the tissue after a cough warrants a doctor's visit
Strikingly they noted that almost a 4th of people were unaware of any of the symptoms of lung cancer. Admittedly, ages interviewed were as low as 14. My kids have certainly been aware since they were toddlers as I preach on my soapbox about support for lung cancer. But I know kids in "normal homes" don't likely have a mom on a soapbox.
As I promised to mention above, CT screening for lung cancer can lower deaths by 20% when done on certain people. This includes:
- People between the ages of 55 and 74
- Those who have smoked at least 30 pack-years
- Those who continue to smoke, or quit smoking in the last 15 years.
It's important to note that everyone is different. Your doctor may recommend CT screening for other reasons as well.
What can you do? Familiarize yourself with possible symptoms. Here are a few great articles to get you started:
- Early Symptoms of Lung Cancer
- Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers
- Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Men
- Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Women
Photo: istockphoto.com
12 Nov, 2013
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Source: http://lungcancer.about.com/b/2013/11/12/people-unaware-of-lung-cancer-symptoms-that-could-save-lives.htm
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