It is very hard to detect early signs of lung cancer. A person experiencing some of the earliest signs might suffer from a cough that changes or even produces blood. A patient might also experience shortness of breath, hoarseness, or more difficulty engaging in more activity, causing more shortness of breath. A person may experience significant weight loss, swelling in the face or arms, or sleepiness. A patient may also be diagnoses with lung infection repeatedly, in the same side the cancer lies.
More advanced stages of lung cancer may produce further symptoms such as migraines, or severe headaches, vision problems, pain in the chest, back, stomach, bones, neck, or through the arms. There might also be coughing of phlegm over a longer amount of time.
Unfortunately lung cancer is usually diagnosed in the latter stages of the disease. This is because it is much harder to detect the early stages of the disease.
Cigarette smoking, or exposed workers in the industrial industry that handle substances such as asbestos, nickel, radiation, or air pollutants, are at a higher risk.
In initial screening, your doctor will probably have your phlegm analyzed for cancer. Chest x-ray may also show signs associated with the disease.
The information provided in this site is general in nature and constitutes neither legal nor medical advice. If you are concerned that you or someone you know is at risk of an asbestos-related disease, please consult your physician and an attorney experienced in asbestos litigation cases.