Lung cancer is one of the most frequent and difficult to cure diseases. In Italy it represents the first cause of death from cancer for men and the second for women.
Lung problems affect smokers but also those who have never touched a cigarette in their life.
The reason is easily understood. In addition to cigarette smoking, which is the main risk factor, there are other causes that can give rise to this problem.
We are talking about passive smoking, environmental pollution and genetic predisposition.
In this, prevention plays a primary role. It is critical to saving thousands of lives, and it becomes even more important as the years go by. In fact, those who are 50 years old should regularly undergo these 3 preventive visits.
Also for those over the age of 50, the National Health Service also guarantees these free visits to 2 cancers that cause death every year.
The subtle aspect of lung cancer is that in the early stages it does not give obvious signals, resulting in asymptomatic.
Otherwise, few know that these 3 symptoms could herald the arrival of lung cancer
When the disease occurs, shortness of breath is among the most frequent symptoms. This signal often does not raise the right concern.
This depends on the lung’s difficulty in carrying out its normal functions, and is perceived by the person as a sense of oppression in the chest or the classic “breathlessness”. Scientific studies highlight the different levels of intensity of shortness of breath, so breathing has an irregular rhythm.
Another symptom is cough, which can be dry or characterized by the presence of blood-streaked phlegm. These episodes must be reported to your doctor, who will have to monitor any developments and take the necessary measures. The cough is usually accompanied by a feeling of pain in the chest.
The various symptoms are also accompanied by a loss of appetite and weight, not linked to a diet. In general, the patient also feels a feeling of weakness and fatigue, especially in the upper part of the body. As we have said, however, few people know that these 3 symptoms could herald the arrival of lung cancer.
How do we arrive at the diagnosis
According to the AIRC website, a reliable diagnosis can only be obtained after taking a biopsy. The tests necessary to understand the extent and spread of the neoplasm, however, are CT, PET, magnetic resonance and bone scintigraphy.
We remind you that this information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
(We remind you to carefully read the warnings regarding this article, which can be consulted who”)