This type of cancer is known for its aggressiveness and high mortality rate. Find out how it manifests.
In Spain, lung cancer is one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases. It ranks third in terms of cancer incidence, only behind prostate cancer and breast cancer.
This type of cancer is known for its aggressiveness and high mortality rate, largely because it is often diagnosed in advanced stages.
Early symptoms of lung cancer
Detecting the early signs of lung cancer can be crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment. Here are the 8 most common symptoms in the early stages of the disease :
- 1- Persistent cough: a cough that does not go away and gets worse over time.
- 2- Chest pain: chest discomfort that may be intensified by deep breathing, coughing, or laughing.
- 3- Dyspnea (difficulty breathing): feeling of shortness of breath even at rest.
- 4- Fatigue: constant fatigue without apparent reason.
- 5- Coughing up blood or sputum: presence of blood in phlegm or sputum.
- 6- Loss of appetite and weight: unexplained reduction in appetite and significant weight loss.
- 7- Frequent bronchitis and pneumonia: recurrent or persistent respiratory infections.
- 8- Wheezing: wheezing or high-pitched sounds when breathing.
The risk of lung cancer in active and passive smokers
The risk of developing lung cancer is significantly higher in active smokers.
According to a study conducted in Mexico, smoking causes 9 out of 10 cases of lung cancer in men and 8 out of 10 in women. However, passive smokers also run a considerable risk.
In addition to lung cancer, exposure to tobacco smoke can cause coronary heart disease and sudden infant death syndrome.
What is lung cancer
Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells begin to grow uncontrollably in the lungs.
This disease can be extremely damaging and, if not treated in time, can lead to death. Early identification of symptoms is vital to increasing the chances of survival.
Advanced symptoms of lung cancer
If lung cancer is not detected in its early stages and spreads to other parts of the body, other symptoms may appear :
- Changes in the nervous system: headache, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, dizziness, balance problems, or seizures, which may indicate the presence of a brain tumor.
- Bone pain: especially in the back and hips.
- Yellowish skin color: The spread of cancer to the liver can cause jaundice.
- Swollen lymph nodes: Swelling of the lymph nodes due to the spread of cancer.
What is the most common cancer in young people?
According to a large-scale scientific study conducted by an international consortium of researchers from the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and Sweden and published in BMJ Oncology, cancer diagnoses in the young population – under 50 years of age – have increased by almost 80% in the last 30 years.
Thus, people under 50 years of age would be one of the most vulnerable groups to suffering from oncological diseases.
According to this extensive study, breast cancer leads the number of diagnoses with 16%; followed by thyroid cancer with 15%, testicular cancer with 8%, and melanoma of the skin with 7%.
These data were also represented in the 2022 report published by REDECAN, with figures highlighting testicular cancer as the leading type of tumor among men; and breast cancer as the most prevalent tumor among women; followed by thyroid cancer and melanoma of the skin.
