The causes
It's estimated that 1 in 10 smokers will develop lung cancer.
Smoking is undoubtedly the major cause of lung cancer; however, people can develop lung cancer without smoking.
According to the Hospital Authority, the risk of smokers developing lung cancer is 20 times higher than that of non-smokers.
Risk of lung cancer increases substantially after the age of 50.
The effects of smoking are believed to be accumulative; the younger someone starts smoking, the higher their risk of getting lung cancer. Passive (environmental) or ‘second-hand’ tobacco smoke can also cause lung cancer and should be avoided wherever possible.
The Symptoms
Prolonged fatigue
A persistent cough, wheezing and shortness of breath
Coughing up blood-stained phlegm (sputum)
Chest discomfort - this may manifest as a dull ache or a sharp pain when you cough or take a deep breath
Loss of appetite and loss of weight
Symptoms of more advanced lung cancer include:
Swelling in the neck, lymph nodes, face and hands
Abdominal distension
Bone pain
A headache
Partial epilepsy or paralysis of one side of the body
While it is unlikely you will definitely have cancer, if you have any of the above symptoms you should have them checked by your doctor.
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