Lung Cancer: Symptoms, Smokers’ Lungs, and Screening

Other symptoms of lung cancer to watch for, to ensure early detection and treatment, include recurring chest infections, pain in the shoulder or chest area, and coughing up blood. Additional signs that something serious may be wrong are tiredness, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

Finger clubbing is another complaint, especially amongst those with non-small cell lung cancer. This is where the joints in the fingers swell up – a condition referred to by doctors as hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA). Finger clubbing is a condition where the tips of the fingers become enlarged and the nails curve around the fingertips, often described as ‘drumstick fingers’.

A rare form of lung cancer known as Pancoast tumours grows at the top of the lungs and causes severe shoulder pain that can radiate to the head or down the arm. Symptoms of Pancoast tumors include loss of sweating on one side of the face, a drooping eye, and a small pupil in the eye nearest the tumor.

How smoking affects the lungs

When an individual smokes cigarettes, cigars, vapes or shisha, they increase their risk of various lung and respiratory diseases. This includes lung cancer, oral cancer, stroke, heart disease, emphysema and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). 

Lung cancer can take various forms, such as forming a mass in the lungs, tumours, or lumps. It can start in the lining of the lungs or elsewhere in the respiratory system. And it’s not only smoking directly that can cause lung cancer – inhaling secondary smoke can also trigger the condition. In the main, though, smoking is the leading cause of the disease, with 85 per cent of lung cancer cases attributed to smoking.

What are smokers’ lungs?

Every time an individual takes a puff from a cigarette, they inhale more than 7000 chemicals – around 70 of which are known to be cancer-causing. The toxins enter the lungs and cause them to become inflamed. To cope, the body’s airways produce more mucus than usual, causing the smoker to cough or develop bronchitis and even pneumonia. This condition, where the lungs are inflamed and damaged due to smoking, is commonly referred to as ‘smokers’ lungs ‘.

At the same time, the tiny airways in the lungs swell up, making the chest feel tight, and shortness of breath can also occur. Continued smoking results in a build-up of scar tissue, while the tar in the cigarettes can colour the lungs black. Nicotine kills the cilia (the part of the lungs that filters dust and dirt from the air). Inhaling tobacco can also damage to the tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles that bring oxygen into the body, known as the alveoli. These are unable to repair themselves, and the loss of too many can lead to emphysema, a lung condition that causes shortness of breath.

How long do lungs take to heal after smoking?

Just 20 minutes after the last cigarette, the lungs start to heal themselves. This rapid healing process should serve as a source of encouragement for those looking to quit smoking.

After one month, the condition of the lungs and the body’s circulation will improve. After nine months, you’ll forget you ever felt short of breath. A decade later, the body is less likely to develop cancer of the lungs, respiratory system and organs such as the kidneys and the bladder. After 15 years, you are no more likely to get heart disease than a non-smoker.

Can dust cause lung cancer?

Inorganic dust, including asbestos, silica, and coal, has been shown to cause lung cancer. Organic dust, such as those caused by handling grain, can cause disease if infected with particular microorganisms. General household dust is less likely to cause lung cancer, but it can contribute to respiratory concerns and exacerbate conditions like asthma.

How to get checked for lung cancer

Doctors use various methods to test for lung cancer, including low-dose CT scans of the chest and lung function tests such as spirometry.

Further advanced testing includes PET scans, CT or MRI scans, biopsies, and bronchoscopies. A PET scan provides detailed information about the tumor’s location and aggressiveness. A bronchoscopy checks the airways of the lungs, while a surgical biopsy, often performed via keyhole procedure, helps diagnose lung cancer.

Which doctor to see for lung cancer

The first step in your lung cancer screening journey is to book an appointment with a consultant pulmonologist or a lung cancer surgeon (thoracic surgeon). The best lung cancer treatment hospitals adopt a multidisciplinary approach to care management, so any of these lung disease specialists can begin your evaluation.

Lung cancer is one of the most complex forms of cancer, so advanced testing is recommended. Studies have shown that lung cancer deaths can be reduced by 20% when high-risk individuals are screened with low-dose CT scans compared to chest x-rays.

If lung cancer is detected, the next step is to consult a thoracic medical oncologist. Thoracic oncology is a highly specialized field dedicated to cancers within the chest area – this includes malignancies such as esophageal cancer, small cell and non-small cell lung cancer, and mesothelioma. A thoracic oncologist can perform tests for gene mutations in the cancer, as well as conduct further in-depth evaluations.

To connect with the world’s best lung cancer experts, get in touch with our Medical Travel team. They can assist you in finding the best treatment options in your preferred destination.