How do you know if you have cancer in your lungs?

As a medical professional, I would like to emphasize the importance of recognizing the signs and symptoms of lung cancer and seeking medical attention promptly. Lung cancer can be diagnosed through a variety of tests and procedures, which may include: 1. Physical examination: Your doctor will check for signs of illness, including listening to your lungs for abnormal sounds. 2. Imaging tests: Such as chest X-rays or CT scans, which can reveal abnormalities in the lungs. 3. Biopsy: A procedure where a small sample of tissue is removed and examined for cancer cells. 4. Sputum cytology: This involves examining a sample of mucus coughed up from the lungs for cancer cells. 5. PET scan: A more detailed imaging test that can show if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. The most common symptoms of lung cancer include: - A cough that does not go away or gets worse. - Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing. - Hemoptysis (coughing up blood). - Unexplained weight loss. - Hoarseness or voice changes. - Persistent fatigue. It's important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than lung cancer, which is why a thorough medical evaluation is necessary.

If you go to your doctor when you first notice symptoms, your cancer might be diagnosed at an earlier stage, when treatment is more likely to be effective. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are: A cough that does not go away or gets worse. ... Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing.