Dr Chris discusses CT scans detecting lung cancer

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Do you know the symptoms of lung cancer? This life-threatening disease typically doesn’t carry many symptoms, but if you can spot the symptoms and get an early diagnosis, it will give you the best chances of overcoming the disease.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK; almost 50,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year, according to Cancer Research.

In the early stages of lung cancer, there aren’t many symptoms to look out for.

Because the symptoms of lung cancer tend to not become noticeable until the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it tends to not be diagnosed until later.

However, if you do begin to notice changes, and worry they could be linked to lung cancer, you should raise your concerns with your GP.

Diagnosing lung cancer early is crucial for the best chances at treatment and overcoming the disease.

So what are the symptoms of lung cancer you should look out for?

What is the symptom of lung cancer in your hands?

One unusual symptom can appear in your hands.

Some lung tumours can produce chemicals which behave a bit like hormones once they’re released into your body.

One of these hormone-like chemicals takes effect in your fingers and pushes more blood and fluid towards your fingertips.

This makes your fingertips look enlarged compared to the rest of your fingers.

It can also cause your nails to curve, and make the skin around your nails look shinier.

This symptom is called finger clubbing, and it is strongly associated with lung cancer.

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More common symptoms of lung cancer

While finger clubbing is thought to be an indicator of lung cancer, it’s more unusual than many other common symptoms of the disease.

The NHS says while there aren’t many early symptoms of lung cancer, people can develop:

• A persistent cough
• Coughing up blood
• Persistent breathlessness
• Unexplained tiredness and weight loss
• An ache or pain when breathing or coughing

Who is most at risk of lung cancer?

Your risk of developing lung cancer increases as you get older; 40 percent of people with lung cancer in the UK are aged over 75.

Smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer: about 72 percent of lung cancer patients are smokers.

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