Lung cancer is much easier to treat when it is detected and diagnosed early.  Many people however do not experience symptoms until the disease has progressed to a later stage.  Symptoms can be different for each person.  Some common symptoms include;  

• A cough that does not go away or gets worse
• Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
• Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
• Hoarseness 
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Shortness of breath 
• Feeling tired or weak
• Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don't go away or keep coming back
• New onset of wheezing
• Headaches 
• Bone pain or fractures 
• Blood clots 

Speak to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.  Discuss your risk factors of developing lung cancer and determine with your health care provider if further lung cancer screening is best. Many lung cancer symptoms are similar to other conditions and diseases. However, ensuring you have the proper diagnosis is imperative and can be life-saving.  

Causes of Lung Cancer 

• Smoking 
  • Not everyone that develops lung cancer smokes.  However, smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Exposure to second-hand smoke also increases your risk. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your overall health and to prevent lung disease including lung cancer. 
• Radon 
  • Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer which is why it is so critical to test for radon in your home. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium. Those who smoke and are exposed to high levels of radon are at even greater risk of developing lung cancer.  
• Personal History of Cancer or Other Lung Diseases 
  • Lung cancer is more common in people who have been previously diagnosed with other cancers such as the mouth or throat.  Having other lung diseases such as COPD, pneumonia, and tuberculosis can also increase your risk of developing lung cancer.  
• Genetics 
  • Having a family history of lung cancer could increase your risk of developing lung cancer.  If others in your family have had lung cancer, make sure to tell your doctor. 
• Hazardous Chemicals 
  • Exposure to certain hazardous chemicals poses a lung cancer risk. Working with materials such as asbestos, uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel and some petroleum products are especially dangerous. 
• Pollutants in the Environment 
  • Exposure to certain pollutants can increase the risk of lung cancer. Air pollution from motor vehicles, factories, and power plants contain microscopic particles, nitrogen oxides, diesel exhaust, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are harmful to the lungs increasing the risk of lung cancer.