In the daily hustle and bustle, our health isn’t something we’re always worrying about. We can’t ignore when our bodies are trying to tell us something. Checking in with our bodies every once in a while is important in order to make sure everything works like it’s supposed to. Lung cancer is one too look out for. It’s the second most common cancer for both men and women, but you may be surprised to know different genders have different symptoms. For women, the early signs of lung cancer are a little more subtle, so it’s vital you know what to look for. Here are some things every lady should keep an eye on. 1. Shortness of breath We all know how it feels to be short of breath. It usually happens when you walk up four flights of stairs or go on a run. If you’re feeling that way while doing simple tasks or notice your breathing gets worse, make sure you talk to your doctor about it. 2. Fatigue Fatigue is a common symptom for many illnesses. It could mean you have the flu, some sort of infection, lupus or even lung cancer. Fatigue could be your body’s way of telling you that it’s using all of its energy to heal you. If you’re feeling this way for an unknown reason, speak to a professional. 3. Constant coughing A cough could be a sign of a common cold, but if it persists and gets worse, it could mean a lot more. Since coughing is your body’s natural reaction to an irritation in your respiratory system, if it doesn’t go away that could mean that the irritation hasn’t left either. Lots of coughing is another early warning sign of lung cancer. 4. Back and shoulder pain back pain doesn’t usually make you think of lung cancer however, sharp aches and pains around the shoulder blades can indicate that something is wrong. Women are more prone to a form of lung cancer called adenocarcinoma. The tumors from this form of cancer grow in the outer layers of the lungs, so they might put pressure on your ribs and spine. 5. Hoarse voice Cancer in your respiratory tract might cause your vocal cords to become irritated and inflamed, and make your voice hoarse or scratchy. If you notice that you’re voice is sounding different and isn’t healing after a few days, have your doctor check your lungs out. 6. Weight Loss If you’re suddenly losing weight without trying, and you’re losing it fast, you need to get checked out. When your body is fighting something, you might burn your fat stores and lose your appetite. 7. Hard to swallow Swelling and inflammation in your respiratory tract can make it really difficult to swallow. Colds, allergies, or other less serious illnesses could contribute to this. However, lung cancer might also be the cause of a sore throat. Getting it checked out by a doctor is your safest bet. 8. chest pain Adenocarcinoma not only causes back pain – it can result in chest pain as well. If you experience persistent pain in one spot in your ribs, call your doctor and get it checked out to be safe. Knowing these symptoms is an important first step in keeping yourself healthy. Catching lung cancer in its early stages makes an enormous difference. Don’t become a hypochondriac just yet – the average age at the time of diagnosis is about 70. Better safe than sorry is always the best motto, so if you have any suspicion it’s best to get it checked out. Make sure your other girl friends know what to look for too – it could save their lives. Source
