What are the symptoms of lung cancer?

Most lung cancers do not cause symptoms in the early stages, until they have spread. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:^{[1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6]}

• coughing up blood
• a new or changed cough that doesn’t go away
• chest pain and/or shoulder pain or discomfort – the pain may be worse with coughing or deep breathing
• trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• trouble swallowing
• hoarse voice
• weight loss
• loss of appetite
• chest infection that doesn’t go away
• tiredness or weakness.

Many conditions can cause these symptoms, not just lung cancer.

Lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, brain and liver, can cause:^[7],[8]

• pain in the back or hips
• nervous system changes, such as changes in your vision or speech
• yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• swelling of lymph nodes.

Anyone can get lung cancer, even if they have never smoked. If you have any of these symptoms and they are persistent, talk to your doctor.