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Lung Cancer
White Lung Cancer awareness ribbon labeled Lung Cancer
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Lung Cancer signs, follow-up guidance, risk factors, testing information, and trusted cancer resources from PINC Foundation.
Lung cancer can affect people who smoke, used to smoke, or never smoked. A lasting change in breathing or cough deserves attention.
Lung cancer is uncommon in young adults but can occur, including in never-smokers. New persistent respiratory symptoms should be assessed based on the symptom—not dismissed because of age or smoking history.
• Smoking and secondhand smoke
• Radon exposure
• Asbestos, diesel exhaust, and certain workplace exposures
• Prior radiation to the chest
• Family history and air pollution
• Smoking and secondhand smoke
• Radon exposure
• Asbestos, diesel exhaust, and certain workplace exposures
• Prior radiation to the chest
• Family history and air pollution
• A new cough that does not go away or a change in a chronic cough
• Coughing up blood or rust-colored mucus
• Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness
• Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing
• Repeated pneumonia/bronchitis, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss
Arrange prompt care for a cough lasting several weeks, coughing blood, unexplained breathlessness, or repeated chest infections. Sudden severe breathlessness, chest pain, or more than small streaks of blood needs urgent care.
• A new cough that does not go away or a change in a chronic cough
• Coughing up blood or rust-colored mucus
• Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness
• Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing
• Repeated pneumonia/bronchitis, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss
Arrange prompt care for a cough lasting several weeks, coughing blood, unexplained breathlessness, or repeated chest infections. Sudden severe breathlessness, chest pain, or more than small streaks of blood needs urgent care.
Annual low-dose CT screening is recommended for certain adults at high risk because of age and smoking history. It is not a test for symptoms; people with symptoms need diagnostic evaluation. Chest X-ray is not recommended as a lung cancer screening test.
• History, exam, and chest imaging
• Diagnostic chest CT for suspicious symptoms or X-ray findings
• Sputum or airway tests in selected cases
• Biopsy by bronchoscopy, needle, or surgery
• Molecular and biomarker testing if cancer is found
Annual low-dose CT screening is recommended for certain adults at high risk because of age and smoking history. It is not a test for symptoms; people with symptoms need diagnostic evaluation. Chest X-ray is not recommended as a lung cancer screening test.
• History, exam, and chest imaging
• Diagnostic chest CT for suspicious symptoms or X-ray findings
• Sputum or airway tests in selected cases
• Biopsy by bronchoscopy, needle, or surgery
• Molecular and biomarker testing if cancer is found
• Do I need a diagnostic CT for these symptoms?
• Do I meet criteria for annual low-dose CT screening?
• Could home radon or workplace exposure matter?
• If something is found, how will a tissue diagnosis be obtained?
• Do I need a diagnostic CT for these symptoms?
• Do I meet criteria for annual low-dose CT screening?
• Could home radon or workplace exposure matter?
• If something is found, how will a tissue diagnosis be obtained?
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
https://www.cancer.gov/types/lung
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer.html
https://www.cancer.gov/types/lung
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer.html
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