What are the symptoms of lung cancer? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

joslin1977 · 04-08-2003, 08:44 PM

hi, i am a 25 yo female and i have been smoking since i was about 17 yo and recently i have had some throat problems and it's been really bothering me. it's better now but for about a week it was hurting me when i swallowed and i coughed and coughed. i thought it might be throat cancer, but could it be lung cancer? i have a doc. appointment on friday but i can't sleep at night because i am so worried. i know i did this to myself and whatever consequences comes out of my decision to smoke i will have to deal with. i did quit smoking though, though it may be too late. if there's anyone who can tell me the symptoms i would be really thankful.

Mary Grant · 04-09-2003, 07:44 PM

I wouldn't worry too much. You are young, your history of smoking was relatively short, and you have quit.

Lung cancer doesn't have to have symptoms. I lost my best friend of 30 years to lung cancer. She wasn't diagnosed until she was already at stage IV--the next to last stage. She died three months later. However, when I would spend weekends with her (she lived about 75 miles from me), she would cough a lot every morning for years.

But listen, this probably won't happen to you--especially since you've stopped smoking. If you parents are dead or if you have close relatives who have died, did they die from lung cancer?

Your doctor will probably recommend a chest xray once per year for a while. They say the chances of getting it go down every year you are smoke free.

I would look at family history, talk to your doctor, and go from there.

Good luck.

Mary

joslin1977 · 04-09-2003, 08:15 PM

thank you so much for your reply. im sure your right and im just being over cautious. i will get it checked out and i will look into my family's history because as far as i know, there isn't anyone who passed with lung cancer. i am really sorry about your friend. it must of been unimaginable. thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me.