Lung cancer is one of the most feared. An unknown sign, visible in the mirror, can alert you to the disease.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. This is also the case in France, where 52,777 new cases were estimated in 2023. While smoking is the main cause, at 85%, of this type of cancer, other risk factors exist, particularly following exposure to carcinogenic substances. Cancer must be diagnosed as early as possible to increase the chances of recovery.
Unfortunately, symptoms often appear very late, once the cancer has reached an advanced stage. The best known are coughing, shortness of breath, sputum containing blood, chest pain, fatigue, sudden weight loss… Other signs, less easy to perceive, can also alert.
This is particularly true of a very specific sign of lung cancer, which can be seen by looking in the mirror. It is the drooping of the face, associated with the absence of sweating on one side. “These symptoms can reflect a lesion or mass in the upper part, or apex, of the lung,” pulmonologist Jimmy Johannes told the journal Parade.
Some nerves in the face are, in fact, connected to the upper part of the lung. If the lung is affected, these nerves are also affected: “A tumor in the upper part of the lung can involve these nerves, which leads to neurological symptoms,” explains the specialist. A drooping of the eyelid can also be noticeable, as can a constriction of the pupil.
Facial sagging is not a systematic symptom of lung cancer. It can also be associated with a stroke, an aneurysm, or Bell’s palsy. In all cases, you should consult a doctor quickly. “If you suspect lung cancer, I recommend that you consult a doctor to assess your situation and your risk of lung cancer (…) If the suspicion is high enough, a chest X-ray and a chest CT scan may be necessary,” insists the specialist. If not smoking is the first obvious advice, a healthy lifestyle combining a healthy diet and sports practice is also largely to be favored.