While there’s probably nothing to worry about, it’s always best to get checked early. Learn a bit more about what to look out for and what’s involved in getting checked.
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer
Getting checked - what’s involved
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LUNG CANCER
If you have any of the symptoms listed below then you should contact your GP practice without delay. While having one or more of these doesn’t mean you have lung cancer, a quicker diagnosis can mean less worry. If cancer is confirmed, more treatment options are available if it’s found early. Don’t ignore these symptoms – just contact your GP practice to be on the safe side. They want to hear from you.
Unexplained and persistent (more than 3 weeks) in those aged 40+:
- Change in cough or a new cough
- Change in breathlessness or new breathlessness
- Fatigue in smoker or ex-smoker
- Persistent or recurring chest infection
May also be accompanied by one or more of the following:
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain/ shoulder pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- A hoarse voice
Facts
- Lung cancer is the most common cancer in Scotland with approximately 5,300 new cases diagnosed every year.
- More people than ever in Scotland are surviving lung cancer.
- The earlier lung cancer is found, the easier it is to treat and the more likely you are to survive.
- Since 1995, lung cancer rates for women in Scotland have increased by 22%.
GETTING CHECKED – WHAT'S INVOLVED?
Some people put off contacting their GP practice because they think they'll be wasting their time but they want to see you if you’re worried about any potential symptoms.
Here’s what to expect when you contact your GP practice:
- Some consultations are taking place over the phone or via video call
- Your GP/primary care clinician will listen to your concerns about your health and ask questions about your symptoms
- They will want to examine your chest
- They’ll decide if you need to have a chest x-ray or other tests and will arrange these for you; if you need more investigations, they may arrange for you to see a chest specialist in a hospital
- If you’re diagnosed with lung cancer, you’ll be referred to a team for expert treatment and care.
WORRIED ABOUT FAMILY OR FRIENDS?
If someone close to you is experiencing any symptoms mentioned on this site, it may well be that they simply don’t realise it could be a sign of cancer. Chances are it is nothing to worry about, but maybe it is time to start a conversation.
Research advancements
Lung cancer is not as hopeless a diagnosis as it was even a few years ago – a lot has changed in recent years. We have access to brand new specialised radiotherapy equipment that have enabled us to develop and implement techniques to treat lung cancer more aggressively where previously we may only have been able to offer palliative treatment.
At the same time as having greater control of the cancer, we are able to minimise the side effects of the treatments by targeting the cancer more accurately, thereby reducing damage to the healthy surrounding tissues.
As clinicians, we want people to be diagnosed with lung cancer early as it opens up more treatment options such as surgery, radiotherapy and drug treatment. It is really important that patients, relatives and health care professionals are aware of the advances in the treatment of lung cancer and do not ignore symptoms that could turn out to be successfully treatable cancers.
