Lesser-known signs of lung cancer you shouldn’t ignore

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related fatalities worldwide, affecting both men and women the most. About 85% of all lung cancer cases are attributed to smoking, making it the primary factor responsible for this disease. Lung cancer is frequently detected at advanced stages, which presents challenges in terms of available treatment choices. One should not ignore the early lesser-known symptoms of lung cancer for early detection.

When someone has lung cancer, their risk of developing blood clots in their blood vessels increases. These clots are known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) if they occur in the legs or pulmonary embolism (PE) if they travel to the lungs. Blood clots can be dangerous because they can block blood flow in the vessels, causing problems and even damaging organs. If you find it hard to breathe suddenly, it might be a sign that a blood clot has moved from your legs to your lungs, which is a serious condition.

Dr. Arunesh Kumar, Sr. Consultant & Head - Pulmonology & Respiratory Medicine, Paras Health, Gurugram says, “The cancer cells can spread from the lungs to the brain. When this happens, it can cause problems with how the brain works, and that can lead to certain symptoms.”

You might get frequent or severe headaches that you didn't have before. These headaches can be different from normal headaches you may have experienced. Dizziness and light-headedness is something that should be taken seriously. When the cancer cells reach the brain, you might feel like the room is spinning or that you're not steady on your feet.

“Seizures are like sudden bursts of abnormal brain activity. They can cause jerking movements in your body, and you may lose control for a short time. If you experience seizures, it’s high time you go to a medical practitioner to get to the root cause,” says Dr. Kumar.

According to Dr. Kumar, “Trouble in body movement can be an indication of lung cancer. You might find it challenging to move your body smoothly, and it might feel like your muscles are not working the way they should”.

If your voice sounds rough and different for a long time without any obvious reason, it could be a sign of lung cancer. Tumours in the lungs can press on a nerve that controls your vocal cords, causing the hoarseness. If this problem lasts for more than a few weeks, it's important to see a doctor to get it checked out. They can help find the cause and provide the right treatment if needed.