Major Warning Signs You Have Lung Cancer

7. Coughing Up Blood (Hemoptysis)

Any instance of coughing up blood, even small streaks or flecks, is a serious medical emergency and should never be ignored. This symptom, medically known as hemoptysis, is often the first significant indicator for many lung cancer patients. A tumor can damage the delicate airways and capillaries within the lungs, causing blood to leak into mucus. While it might initially be dismissed as coming from an irritated throat or nose, hemoptysis stemming from the lungs typically worsens as the malignancy progresses. Do not self-diagnose; seek urgent medical attention immediately if you experience this.

8. Sudden Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax)

A collapsed lung, or pneumothorax, occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall, causing the lung to deflate. While traumatic injury or certain lung diseases can cause this, a growing lung tumor can also be the culprit. The tumor can partially or fully block an airway, trapping air in sections of the lung, or it can grow outwards and exert external pressure. Eventually, the trapped air is reabsorbed, or external pressure becomes too great, causing the lung tissue to collapse. Sudden shortness of breath and sharp chest pain warrant emergency care, as a collapsed lung can be life-threatening.