Madrid (EFE).- Having a persistent cough -especially if blood is seen in the sputum-, chest pain when breathing or coughing and breathing with difficulty are some of the symptoms that can warn of early lung cancer, according to the Association for Lung Cancer Research in Women (ICAPEM).
In a statement, coinciding with the European Lung Cancer Week (from September 11 to 17), the Association also warns that the presence of lumps or masses in the neck or on the collarbones, fatigue and tiredness that cannot be explained Due to habits, unexplained weight loss and lack of appetite, these are also symptoms that should require consulting a specialist.
Symptoms not exclusive to this disease
Despite this, the Association explains that having any of these symptoms, or even several of them, does not mean that we necessarily have lung cancer, since they are not exclusive to this disease, so “it is not necessary to panic. ”.
Although, if you notice that they “persist over time” and that they do not improve with treatments, you should go to the doctor.
In this sense, experts highlight that “high mortality rates are often due to the fact that the diagnosis of lung cancer usually arrives in advanced stages of the disease,” and they emphasize that it has increased among women.
According to their calculations, in 2023 more than 31,000 diagnoses will be made in Spain, of which more than 9,000 will be women, and they highlight that it is the second most present tumor in Spanish society, behind breast cancer and one of the most lethal. nationally and globally.
For its part, the Union of Nursing Technicians (SAE) insists on “the need to create policies and actions aimed at raising awareness among the population about the risks of tobacco for their health,” since between 85 and 95% of Cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking.
