1. Check the Cause of Your Cough
If you smoke, chances are you've developed a chronic cough that tends to be more intense early in the morning. However, if you notice a spike in the intensity and frequency of your coughing bouts, this could be an early warning sign of lung cancer. If you're a non-smoker, you should talk to your doctor if you contract a cough not related to a cold that continues for longer than 2 weeks.
2. Upper-Body Pain May Signal Problems
Cancerous growths exert pressure on healthy surrounding tissues, which can cause pain. Given the position of the lungs, the chest is the most common place for lung-cancer-related pain to develop, but it can also manifest almost anywhere in the upper body, including the shoulders, upper back and neck. You also should know that bone pain, unexplained facial and neck swelling and persistent headaches can also be warning signs of lung cancer.\r\n
3. Spit It Out
You can spot early signs of lung cancer in your sputum. Lung cancer can increase the volume of your saliva, change its color or bloody your saliva. If you notice any of these three factors and you can't determine a cause (such as a cut in your mouth accounting for the blood), call your doctor.
4. Note Your Breathing
If you contract bronchitis or pneumonia multiple times within a period of a few months, consider undergoing a lung cancer screening. Call your doctor if you're suddenly afflicted with wheeziness or shortness of breath. Both symptoms might be attributable to malignant growths in your lungs. Unfortunately, most symptoms of lung cancer don't present until the disease has reached an advanced stage. Protect yourself by having any suspicious symptoms checked immediately.
