Lung cancer cough: How to identify it and when to get screened

A lingering cough, especially one that worsens or occurs with chest pain, shortness of breath or coughing up blood, should be discussed with a doctor.

Coughs are often dismissed as an allergy, a cold or even seasonal dryness. But sometimes a cough that doesn't go away can be a sign of something more serious, such as lung cancer.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide, and early detection is critical for survival. Learn how to tell the difference between a lung cancer cough and other types of coughs — and when to speak to your doctor.

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Why coughs go overlooked

A cough is a spontaneous reflex that occurs when something, such as dust or mucus, irritates the throat and airways. This reflex gets rid of the irritant so it doesn't get into your lungs or windpipe. Coughs are one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor — in the U.S., there are as many as 30 million healthcare visits for coughs every year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Conditions such as allergies and the common cold can cause a nagging cough that goes away on its own after a while, so it's easy to assume nothing serious is going on. But a cough that lingers for more than two or three weeks should be cause for concern, especially if it changes in intensity or comes with other symptoms, such as shortness of breath. A cough lasting more than eight weeks should be evaluated by a healthcare professional if the cause is not known.

Other symptoms to keep an eye out for include:

• Coughing up blood or rust-colored phlegm
• Hoarseness or noticable changes in your voice
• Unexplained fatigue or weight loss
• Wheezing

These symptoms can be caused by several conditions, but you should talk to your doctor if you have these symptoms along with a cough, if you have a combination of them, or if your symptoms get worse.

How to identify a lung cancer cough

A cough that doesn't go away or that gets worse over time is one of the most common symptoms of lung cancer. But how can you tell if a cough is a symptom of a benign condition or when it might be a sign of something more serious?

• Interferes with sleep
• Worsens over time
• Lasts more than eight consecutive weeks
• Occurs with chest pain

Risk factors for lung cancer

Anyone can develop lung cancer, but certain factors can increase your risk significantly.

Smoking is the main risk factor for lung cancer —almost 80% of lung cancer deaths are attributed to smoking, according to the American Cancer Society. The risk of cancer increases the longer you smoke and the more packs you smoke per day. Secondhand smoke can also increase the risk of developing lung cancer.

Other risk factors include:

• Age: The risk of developing lung cancer increases after age 50, especially if you have a history of smoking.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to things like hazardous chemicals and air pollution can impact your risk factor, according to the American Cancer Society.
• Family history: Having a close relative with lung cancer can increase your risk.

Lung cancer screening guidelines

Lung cancer is extremely treatable if it's caught early. However, only 27.4% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage, according to the American Lung Association. That's partly because lung cancer often doesn't have symptoms until later stages, when it has already spread.

Early detection is key to survival, especially for those who have smoked for a long time. The CDC says the only recommended screening test for lung cancer is low-dose CT scans. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends yearly lung cancer screening for people who:

• Are between 50 and 80 years old
• Currently smoke or have quit in the past 15 years
• Have a 20-pack-per-year or more smoking history

When to talk to your doctor

Telling your doctor you're concerned that you have lung cancer can be intimidating, but it's important to discuss your worries so you can get a diagnosis and treatment. If you have had a cough for more than a couple of weeks or if the cough has gotten worse over time, it's worth getting it checked out. Remember, many coughs are not correlated with lung cancer, but early detection is essential for those that are.

When you talk to your doctor, it can be helpful to come prepared:

• Track your symptoms: Write down when they started, how long they've lasted and if they've gotten worse, especially if they get worse at night.
• Share your risk factors: Tell your doctor if you have a history of smoking, a family history of lung cancer or if you have environmental exposures.
• Be direct: Tell your doctor you are concerned about your cough being something more serious and ask about screening.

Early detection starts with awareness

A lingering cough can seem harmless, but it's important to pay attention to it, especially if it's accompanied by other symptoms. Listen to your body and share your concerns with your doctor so you can get answers and a plan for how to move forward.