Drawing attention to the symptoms of lung cancer, Dr. Instructor Prof. Dr. Külah stated that 1 million 760 thousand people died from lung cancer in the world according to 2018 data, and said, “Lung cancer, one of the causes of which is smoking, ranks first among cancer-related deaths all over the world. Lung cancer occurs as a result of uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lung. Lung cancer often starts from a single focus in a lung, but it can also develop from more than one focus at the same time. Cancer cells can spread to the lungs, adjacent tissues, or other parts of the body. Lung cancer symptoms may vary depending on the location.
“LUNG CANCER DEVELOPS SECRETLY IN ONE OF THE PATIENTS”
Stating that the most common symptom of lung cancer is persistent coughs, Dr. Instructor In addition, findings such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fever, hoarseness, swelling in the face and neck, shoulder and arm pain, back pain, difficulty in swallowing and bloody sputum are also symptoms of lung cancer. Bloody sputum accompanying cough is seen in a quarter of lung cancer patients. Head and bone pain, fatigue and weakness are also common symptoms of lung cancer. Lung cancer symptoms are sometimes quite insidious. In almost a quarter of patients, cancer occurs without any symptoms. Usually, these people learn that they have lung cancer when they have a chest X-ray for another reason. For this reason, routine controls are of vital importance in detecting lung cancer at an early stage. If lung cancer is detected in the early stages, the chances of success in its treatment are quite high. Today, with the advances in imaging techniques such as low-dose spiral computed tomography, lung cancer can now be detected at an early stage.
SYMPTOMS OF LUNG CANCER INCLUDES Cough, Shortness of Breath, and Hoarseness of Voice
Dr. Instructor Prof. Dr. Külah listed the symptoms of lung cancer as follows: “Cough is among the first symptoms of lung cancer. It is often underestimated as it is thought to be due to other reasons. People with persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, increasing gradually and the cause of which cannot be determined, should be investigated for lung cancer. In addition, the presence of blood in the sputum or the dark brown color of the sputum are also known as important symptoms in lung cancer. In the second place is anorexia and weight loss. Particularly active smokers should consult a doctor if they have anorexia. Unexplained weight loss should not be neglected as it is one of the important symptoms of lung cancer. Third, chest pain, which can be caused by many reasons, is actually one of the main symptoms of lung cancer. If chest pain increases when breathing deeply, coughing or laughing, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately. Respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing, which ranks fourth, can also occur at all stages of lung cancer. Shortness of breath, which is an important indicator of insidious lung cancer, is not taken seriously. While the elderly and overweight people attribute their shortness of breath to their age, young people also state that they neglect to go to the doctor due to the intensity of their work. However, it should not be forgotten that early diagnosis is of vital importance in lung cancer. Fifth, attention should be paid to hoarseness and difficulty in swallowing. Hoarseness and difficulty in swallowing, which are one of the symptoms of lung cancer, can be caused by many reasons, just like other symptoms. A doctor should be consulted when hoarseness develops without a situation such as a cold.
WEAKNESS, NON-STICKING FINGERS, EYELASH DROP
Dr. Instructor Member Külah concluded his words as follows: “Weakness is in the sixth place. Fatigue, constant tiredness and weakness are among the symptoms that should not be missed in lung cancer. If fatigue, which can be caused by many reasons from iron deficiency anemia, which is very common in Turkey, to seasonal conditions, from the intense hustle and bustle of daily life to psychological problems, affects daily life negatively and respiratory complaints are accompanied, lung scanning should be performed. Clubbing, which is in the seventh place, caused by the swelling and rounding of the soft tissue at the tips of the fingers and toes, can be seen in many diseases as well as in lung cancer. The eighth item is body pain. If the cancer has spread, back, shoulder, shoulder blade, arm, leg pain, or if it has spread to the brain, severe headache manifests itself as important symptoms. Enlargement of the glands on the neck and above the collarbone may indicate lung cancer in particular. In the ninth place, there are frequently recurrent infections. Frequent relapses and non-healing of respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia are also symptoms. Especially those who have smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for more than 15 years or who have not been smoking for 15 years should have a screening once a year. Finally, drooping of the eyelid is among the symptoms. A mass located in the upper part of the lung can press on some nerves and cause pain in the arm and shoulder, hoarseness, and drooping eyelids. The absence of sweating on the same side of the face as the drooping of the eyelid and shrinkage of the pupil may indicate cancer. This condition is known as Horner’s syndrome. If one or more of these symptoms are observed, a pulmonologist should be consulted without delay.”
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