People showing symptoms of lung cancer are being urged to consult their GP for early detection of the disease. Lung cancer accounts for roughly 34,800 deaths each year in the UK, making it the leading cause of cancer-related deaths at 21%.
There’s a lesser-known sign of cancer that individuals are advised to monitor and seek medical advice if they notice it. This unusual symptom is finger clubbing – a swelling of the nails on fingers or toes believed to be caused by large cells known as megakaryocytes getting trapped in the small blood vessels in the fingertips.
Megakaryocytes, typically found in bone marrow, produce platelets necessary for blood clotting. Cancer Research explains that when these cells get stuck in the fingertips, they begin to release growth factors, leading to an increase in blood vessels and tissue growth, and fluid accumulation.
The Cleveland Clinic states that clubbed nails may feel soft, sponge-like, warm, and appear red. The nail can take on a rounded, bulging shape, resembling an inverted spoon.
Another more common symptom of lung cancer is a persistent cough. The NHS also recommends that anyone experiencing a persistent cough or shortness of breath should seek medical attention rather than ignoring these symptoms, as they could be signs of lung cancer, reports Surrey Live.
The NHS launched the ‘Help Us Help You’ campaign on World Cancer Day in 2020, with a mission to spread awareness about lung cancer’s indicators and urge individuals to consult with their GP.
As covered by Surrey Live, the initiative was rolled out across TV and radio, stressing the critical need for checks among those who’ve experienced a cough lasting over three weeks.
Aiming to reach men and women over 60 — particularly those from lower-income communities — the drive sought to connect with the group most at risk of lung cancer but often reluctant to visit their GP.
Early feedback from the NHS’s efforts revealed a marked improvement in public awareness regarding coughs as a potential sign of cancer.
Tracy Bourne, 59, from Stoke-on-Trent and a lung cancer survivor since 2019, shared her experiences: “I am just so grateful to that GP who realised that my cough might have been more than an infection and sent me for the initial X-ray. Without a doubt, it saved my life.”
The NHS points out key symptoms associated with lung cancer, which include:.
There are also less common signs of lung cancer noted by the NHS, which include:
According to the NHS, the main symptoms of lung cancer include:
- A cough that does not go away after 3 weeks
- A long-standing cough that gets worse
- Chest infections that keep coming back
- Coughing up blood
- An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- Persistent breathlessness
- Persistent tiredness or lack of energy
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
Less common symptoms of lung cancer include:
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or pain when swallowing
- Wheezing
- A hoarse voice
- Swelling of your face or neck
- Persistent chest or shoulder pain
It’s advised to see a GP if you have any of the primary symptoms of lung cancer or any of the less common symptoms.