Lung Cancer Symptoms

The symptoms of lung cancer might not present themselves straight away and it is often found when someone is being tested for other conditions.

The symptoms of lung cancer can include:

• a cough for 3 weeks or more
• a change in a cough you have had for a long time
• a chest infection that does not get better, or repeated chest infections
• feeling breathless and wheezy for no reason
• coughing up blood
• chest or shoulder pain that does not get better
• a hoarse voice for 3 weeks or more.

Other possible symptoms are:

• loss of appetite
• losing weight for no obvious reason
• feeling tired.

Less common symptoms may include:

• the tips of fingers becoming more curved or larger – called finger clubbing
• pain in the shoulder travelling down the arm.

Video courtesy of: © Cancer Research UK [2002] All rights reserved.

Information taken 27/03/2024

If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to get them checked by your GP. Many of these symptoms can be caused by other lung conditions or by smoking.