Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Females – Early Signs Women Should Never Ignore

Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Females

Whenever we mention lung cancer, what most of us would think of is long time smokers or aged men. However, nowadays the situation is different. There has been a continuous rise in lung cancer among women even women who have never smoked a cigarette. I occasionally imagine the mother of a friend who got lung cancer even though she had no known risk factors. She used to say frequently, I thought I was tired because of age... I did not suspect that it could be serious.

And this is the cause that the learning of the symptoms is important especially in women. The sooner the lung cancer, the more chances one will be successful in his treatment.

When reading this article, make sure that you also have a few minutes and go over each symptom. Send this news to the ladies in your life- you can save some one an incurable disease.

What Is the Reason Why Symptoms Do Not Matter in Women?

Interestingly, the symptoms of lung cancer in females may appear a bit different as compared to men. There are hormones, body structure, lifestyle variations and even genetics. Quite a number of women also overlook the initial symptoms thinking it may be stress, exhaustion, the changing of the season. However, lung cancer may have a very silent beginning.

I would like to consider the symptoms individually, in a simple and straightforward manner.

Females and Common Symptoms of Lung Cancer.

1. Coughing Chronically That I can’t Get Rid of.

When a cough lasts longer than 2 or 3 weeks, it should be addressed. Most of the women believe that it is a common cold or a throat infection. A persistent cough is one of the initial symptoms.

You may also notice:

• The cough is rougher or deeper.
• The coughing becomes different.
• It gets worse at night.

2. Shortness of Breath

Are you feeling short of breath having done anything simple like walking fast or climbing stairs?

This is not normal.

The women will attribute it to old age, poor breathing or poor athletic ability. But the most significant warning is decreased airflow in the lungs.

3. Chest Pain or Tightness

The chest pain may be experienced on either side or in the middle. Some women describe it as:

• A sharp poke
• A dull ache
• A heavy tightness

The coughing or laughing can exacerbate the pain. When it remains several days or reoccurs, it has to be examined.

4. Unexplained Weight Loss

The weight loss that was not preceded by any exercise or diet is one of the common symptoms of cancer.

You might find yourself losing clothes, or people close to you claiming that you are thinner.

This is so because the cancer cells use up the energy in the body.

5. Constant Fatigue and Deprivation of Energy.

Women have learnt to multitask work, home, family. Tiredness is a thing that is neglected.

However, this is not the case with cancer-related fatigue.

It feels like:

• You are not energized however much you rest.
• Even menial chores exhaust you.
• During the day, you feel like you are sleepy.

This is not normal tiredness.

6. Hoarse Voice or Voice Change

In any case, when your voice suddenly changes to be deeper, rougher, and persists, then cause may be a pressure on nerves around the lungs.

7. Frequent Lung Infections

If you keep getting:

• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Severe coughs

blockages in lungs may be as a result of lung cancer every few months.

8. Coughing Up Blood

A single drop of blood in your cough is all that is required to see a doctor.

This is among the later symptoms that are not always painful.

9. Shoulder or Back Pain

This is one thing many women will never take note of.

The lung cancer pain can at times manifest at the back, the shoulder blades, or at the neck.

It is often mistaken for:

• Long hours of work
• Poor posture
• Muscle pull

Never though should deep, persistent pain be passed over.

10. Swelling of the Face or Neck

When a tumour atrophobically compresses the major blood vessels, it may lead to the swelling around the face, neck, or upper chest.

Women could easily confuse it with allergy or water retention but it is a serious indication.

Symptoms which Women tend to ignore.

These are minor, yet significant signs:

• Loss of appetite

Failing to be hungry even after hours.

• Breathing with a wheezing sound.

A whistling sound that is constantly returning.

• Constant headaches

Particularly when they are accompanied by shortness of breath.

• Bone pain

Hip or spine pain may be an indication of spreading cancer.

The Importance of Women being Mindful of these Symptoms.

Some of the reasons why many women avoid visiting the doctor include:

• Family remains to be their priority.
• They believe that the symptoms are minor.
• They presume that lung cancer occurs in smokers only.

But here’s the truth:

Many of the women who have been diagnosed with lung cancer are non-smokers.

Triggers may also be air pollution, passive smoking, genetics and exposure to household smoke.

When Should You See a Doctor?

In case you have one of them longer than two weeks:

• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort
• Tiredness
• Unexplained weight loss

Or immediately if you notice:

• Blood in cough
• Severe chest pain
• Swelling of face or neck

Do not wait until the symptoms get worse.

The way Doctors Diagnose Lung Cancer.

You do not have to know medical facts but only to make an impression:

• Chest X-ray
• CT scan
• Sputum test
• Biopsy

These are tests used to verify the activities that go on within the lungs.

Can Lung Cancer Be Treated?

Yes, particularly when taken in the initial stages.

Treatment may include:

• Medicines
• Radiation
• Surgery
• Special therapies

I recall how the mother of my friend told me, “Had I checked sooner, maybe I would have done something... Early diagnosis is a very big difference.

Final Thoughts

In many cases, women do not take care of their health when they take care of others. Yet here your life and here your breath, and here your wellbeing.

When your body is talking does not wait. Medical consultation at an early age can save life.

In case you have found this article helpful…

You can post it to your friends and family people, especially to your female peers.

Awareness can save lives.

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