Why lung cancer is different:

Unlike some other cancers, lung cancer can occur with no symptoms. Lung cancer's symptoms often occur only by the time the disease is very advanced, at which point it is difficult to treat. The solution is to update your doctor about any changes in health (fatigue, weight loss, etc), as well as to provide your doctor with your complete medical history, especially if you have been exposed to any of the following risk factors:

• Smoking
• Secondhand smoke
• Prior Chest Radiation Therapy (for prior breast cancer, lymphoma, etc)
• Family History
• Asbestos and Radon Exposure

These risk factors can increase your susceptibility to lung cancer. Providing your doctor with as much information as possible about your lifestyle will help your doctor determine if lung cancer is a possible reason for a decline in health, and whether you would benefit from closer follow-up, a Chest X-ray, or Chest CT. Be aggressive about obtaining a diagnosis that you are satisfied with. Read more about risk factors

With that said, the following symptoms are common in patients with lung cancer:

• Fatigue
• Appetite loss and/or weight loss
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
• Chest pain
• Pneumonia