Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer. 

There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer, but many people with the condition eventually develop symptoms including:

a persistent cough coughing up blood persistent breathlessness unexplained tiredness and weight loss an ache or pain when breathing or coughing

You should speak to your GP if you have these symptoms.

Read more about the symptoms of lung cancer

Symptoms

Symptoms of lung cancer develop as the condition progresses and there are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages.

The main symptoms of lung cancer are:

a cough that doesn’t go away after 2 or 3 weeks a long-standing cough that gets worse persistent chest infections 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:

changes in the appearance of your fingers, such as becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger (this is known as finger clubbing) a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above  difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing wheezing a hoarse voice  swelling of your face or neck persistent chest or shoulder pain

If you have any of these, you should speak to your GP.

Read further information:

Cancer Research UK: Symptoms of lung cancer Macmillan Cancer Support: Signs and Symptoms of lung cancer