World Lung Cancer Day was a campaign created by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) in 2012. Since then, FIRS and The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) have strived to raise awareness and to educate the public about lung cancer and its impact on millions around the world.
Lung cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer amongst Canadians as well as the leading cause of death among cancers in Canada. In 2020, 29,800 Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with lung cancer and 21,200 Canadians are expected to die from it.
Diagnosing lung cancer can be challenging because physicians must assess signs and symptoms and rule out other possible health issues before making a cancer diagnosis. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer can include:
- a cough that worsens or doesn’t go away
- a constant chest pain that is made worse by deep breathing or coughing
- blood-stained sputum (mucus and other matter coughed up from the lungs)
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- frequent chest infections (bronchitis or pneumonia)
- fatigue
- hoarseness
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
- severe shoulder pain (caused by a superior sulcus tumour pressing on a nerve)
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, visit your healthcare provider for an assessment
If you’d like to learn more about lung cancer click here.