First off I will start off by saying I am 32 years old and a casual smoker, 3-4 a week but grew up in a family where both parents smoked. I have been having pains in my chest and back for about 2 months, not a constant pain but one that comes and goes and feels worse with certain movements or when doing pushups. I have had a slight cough for a few weeks also, no blood in sputum and the cough seems to be triggered by a tickle in my throat. I went to 2 different doctors and they both said it was constrichdoritis (spelling). I am in the United States Air Force and really do not trust Air Force doctors. Does anybody think I have reason to worry? What do you recommend I should do? I have another appointment on Tuesday and am going to request a chest x-ray but don't know if they will do it. Is lung cancer common for my age and smoking history? Somebody please respond.

Hello, I would see what the x-ray shows, and I would insist that one be done, and take it from there. You do not have to be a smoker to develop lung cancer, but hopefully it is less likely to be cancer. In any event, it is best to be checked out. Keep us posted and you are in my prayers.

Try to insist on a chest x-ray, that is where alot of tumors are found. If there is something suspect then they will send you on for a cat scan. I would think with all the information that is available out there about smoking and worse yet second had smoke, that everyone that smokes would be worried about lung cancer. I was driving in my car the other day and witnessed another car, all windows rolled up, both adults smoking they had two small children in the back, breathing in this second hand smoke. Also just a note the two adults in the front had their seat belts on but neither of the children in the back were restrained. Now thats love eh ?