Lung cancer difficult to detect early: what are symptoms besides cough and phlegm?

▲Frequent coughing ▲Expectoration ▲Hemoptysis ▲Sudden voice change ▲Weight loss If these symptoms appear, it is advisable not to delay and visit the hospital promptly for an accurate diagnosis.

Over 80% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking. The risk of developing lung cancer increases proportionally with the amount and duration of smoking. This is why quitting smoking is essential for lung cancer prevention. Cigarettes, regardless of type, negatively impact health and increase the risk of lung cancer. There is a common perception that electronic cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, but this is not true. Smoking itself, regardless of the type, accumulates carcinogens in the body.

Moreover, using electronic cigarettes and traditional cigarettes simultaneously is more harmful to health. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 84.5% of electronic cigarette users in Korea also smoke traditional cigarettes, and 76.6% of adolescent electronic cigarette users also use traditional cigarettes concurrently. Dual use of electronic cigarettes and traditional cigarettes increases nicotine dependence and raises the risk of lung cancer.

The research team at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center in the United States compared and analyzed 4,975 lung cancer patients and 27,294 healthy individuals. The analysis showed that people who dual-use electronic cigarettes and traditional cigarettes had an eightfold higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to healthy non-smokers. Those who dual-use electronic cigarettes and traditional cigarettes had a fourfold higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to people who used only one type.

Recently, the number of non-smoking lung cancer patients is also on the rise. In addition to smoking, new risk factors for lung cancer include smoke generated during cooking, air pollution, harmful substances (radon, asbestos), stress, and family history. In fact, 80% of female lung cancer patients have no history of smoking.

Experts recommend not only quitting smoking but also undergoing screening for early detection to prevent lung cancer. According to lung cancer screening guidelines, high-risk individuals over 55 years old who have smoked at least one pack of cigarettes daily for 30 years are advised to undergo annual low-dose chest CT scans, even if they have no respiratory symptoms. In fact, studies have shown that high-risk individuals who undergo annual screenings experience a reduction in lung cancer mortality. Even if you do not fall into the high-risk category, it is advisable to undergo regular lung cancer screenings if you have a family history of cancer or underlying conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or pulmonary fibrosis.

Professor Shin Un-kyung said, "Recently, lung cancer treatment has been improving due to the development of various targeted anticancer drugs and immunotherapy." He added, "Nevertheless, prevention should take precedence over treatment." He also stated, "Smokers should quit smoking and avoid lung cancer risk factors as much as possible, and high-risk groups should undergo regular check-ups without fail."