
Lung cancer symptoms in women in the initial stages tend to be overlooked due to the vagueness. This can jeopardize health, hence it becomes necessary for us to know about the symptoms of lung cancer to get it treated at its earliest. Continue reading to get a detailed information.
Did you know, women are more susceptible to lung cancer than men? Yes, it’s a fact. Although the exact factors regarding the higher incidence are not clear, statistics and researches show that women are more likely to get affected due to lung cancer than men. Even non-smoker women may suffer from lung cancer as there are many other reasons behind it. Unfortunately, lung cancer gets diagnosed only in its advanced stage. This is because the initial signs are often misunderstood for cough and cold, which are treated with home remedies. Here, we bring you information on the symptoms of lung cancer which will help you to get it diagnosed in the beginning itself.
Signs of Lung Cancer in Women
Symptoms of lung cancer are usually ignored in their primary stages, since they can be misleading and resemble common throat infection. By the time it gets diagnosed, it might have reached its advanced stage which is when chances of survival lessen. It is important to know that the very initial stage has no prominent symptoms and hence nearly 25% of the people are diagnosed with lung cancer when they go for a routine X-ray test.
Now, you can understand how essential it is to go for an overall check up at least once in a year. Any changes in the body should be reported to a health care provider, for correct diagnosis and timely medical intervention. Given here are some indications that may point towards the presence of lung cancer in the body.
⚫ Chronic Coughing
Coughing is one of the earliest signs of lung cancer in women. This can be persistent in nature and occur during any time of the day or night. The cough may worsen as the cancer advances. It can be dry or with phlegm. Sometimes, phlegm may be tinged pink, due to the presence of blood in the sputum. In the later stages coughing can become chronic and it is vital to seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
⚫ Difficulty in Breathing
Breathing problem is also another common sign of lung cancer. Shortness of breath is experienced due to blockage in the airways or build up of fluid in lungs. It can also be an indicant of a tumor in the lungs. Wheezing can also be observed due to blocked airways. Because of this breathing is accompanied by a whistling sound.
⚫ Respiratory Infections
A woman, in early stages of lung cancer becomes susceptible to respiratory infections like pneumonia or bronchitis. As immunity of the lungs gets hampered because of cancerous cells, the organ loses its capability to fight against viral and bacterial infections.
⚫ Chest Pain
Due to the spread of cancerous cells, lungs get inflamed. An enlarged tumor in the lungs can trigger pain, discomfort and a feeling of heaviness in the chest. Excessive coughing and difficulty in breathing can also lead to chest pain. It may also result in chronic pain if not taken care of in time. Consult a doctor immediately, in case of chest pain. This can sometimes radiate to the shoulder and arm. Although this is not experienced in all patients it can be considered as a symptom of lung cancer.
⚫ Weight Loss and Weakness
A person suffering from lung cancer may experience loss of appetite, which can lead to abnormal and excessive weight loss. The patient may also feel weak and fatigued. Weakness can also trigger severe pain in the bones and muscles.
⚫ Changes in Voice
The patient may notice a change in her voice. The voice may become hoarse due to the cancerous cells damaging the nerves of the voice box. As the cancerous lung tumor grows, it puts pressure on the airways and vocal cords, thereby affecting the voice and making it hoarse.
⚫ Other Symptoms
Other symptoms may comprise hormonal imbalance, neurological instability, memory loss, loss of vision, problem in swallowing food, neck and facial swelling, etc. Mood changes and depression are also observed in women suffering from lung cancer.
In case you observe any of these lung cancer symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. The treatment will depend upon the stage and type of the cancer but with early diagnosis and proper therapy, it is not impossible to treat lung cancer. Take care!