Lung cancer kills more women annually than any other type of cancer, but only a small number of women are aware of the symptoms, especially of those that are typical for their gender. Find out which 10 symptoms indicate the possibility of lung cancer in women.
1. Shortness of breath
We all know this feeling, and generally we usually feel like this after some stressful situation. However if you lose your breath as soon as you get out of bed, then this may indicate to a serious respiratory problem. Shortness of breath is an early symptom of almost every type of cancer.
2. Shoulder and back pain
Probably you cannot put a connection between these two, but when it comes to women, a sharp pain and a pain in the upper shoulder blade may indicate that something is wrong. This is because women are prone to a form of lung cancer called adenocarcinoma. Tumors of this kind can grow on the outside of the lungs so this way they can put pressure on the ribs and the spine.
3. Feeling tired
Fatigue can be a symptom of many diseases, from influenza to lupus. If you feel exhausted, as after a sleepless night, even though you just got up, you should see a doctor. Fatigue can be a way in which your body is trying to tell you that something is wrong and it has to use the reserve power to heal.
4. Constant cough
If you have a cough that just does not want to pass or gets worse, it’s time to see a doctor. Coughing is a natural reaction to the irritation of your respiratory system and if the cough persists it could mean that the irritation has not disappeared. Cough is one of the symptoms of any form of cancer and can help you discover the cancer in time.
5. Depression and other mood changes
Researchers have recently observed a surprising connection between the diagnosis of depression, anxiety and other psychiatric symptoms and lung cancer. In an unexpected number of cancer patients, particularly lung cancer, the scientists we able to detect tumors when the patients were sent to psychiatric care.
6. Headache
Headaches can be a sign that the cancer has spread from the lungs to the brain. However, not all headaches are associated with brain metastasis. A lung tumor can sometimes create pressure on the vena cava. From these veins the blood moves from the upper body to the heart. The pressure can cause severe headaches.
7. Hoarseness
Hoarseness is usually associated with smokers, however, in some cases sudden hoarseness may indicate a lung cancer. Cancer in your respiratory tract can irritate the vocal cords and make your voice hoarse. If the hoarseness lasts for 3 weeks or longer, it is time to see a doctor.
8. Weight loss
Most of you probably struggle a lot until you lose 5-8 pounds. However if you suddenly lose a few pounds, but you’re not on a diet, it’s time to be worried. Your organism uses the body fat, but due to lack of appetite, you will not be able to enter all the fat, proteins, minerals that your body needs to function properly.
9. Problems with swallowing
If you have problems with swelling or inflammation of the respiratory tract, you also will not be able to swallow normally. If you recently had a cold, then this problem it is not a cause for concern, but if you just have a problem to swallow food or water, you need to examine what caused the swelling of the throat. Your doctor may examine allergies and infections before you are send the more serious analysis.
10. Chest Pain
As we mentioned earlier, adenocarcinoma is manifested in many different ways. It can also cause a severe pain in the chest, in the same way that it causes the back pain. It can also lead to pleural effusion and painful condition of pleurisy.