Knowing lung cancer symptoms could improve survival - Editorial

AORN Journal,  Jan, 2003  

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Although persistent cough, bloody sputum, chest pain, and repeated bronchitis or pneumonia are symptoms of numerous diseases, they also are symptoms of the world's greatest cancer killer--lung cancer, according to a Nov 1, 2002, news release from the Global Lung Cancer Coalition. The coalition has a lung, cancer symptom checklist available on its web site (ie, http://www.lungcancer coalition.org) to help people at risk for lung cancer recognize the signs and to facilitate diagnosis and treatment as early as possible.

The leading cause of death worldwide, lung cancer kills more than one million people each year. Survival rates after treatment are lower than for other types of cancer, including breast and prostate. One reason for this disparity is that lung cancer rarely is diagnosed at an early stage because symptoms often are mistaken for those of less serious diseases. The cancer then spreads through the lungs and to other parts of the body, worsening the patient's prognosis.

Being aware of symptoms and diagnosing the disease early are crucial for improving survival rates. People at risk for lung cancer need to be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek medical attention if they notice any of these signs. If the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, surgery may be curative; however, for many reasons, the outcome for most patients is poor.

Lung Cancer: Knowing the Symptoms Could Save Your Life (news release: Global Lung Cancer Coalition, Nov 1, 2002) http://www.pmewswire.com (accessed 4 Nov 2002).

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