What it is
Some countries offer lung screening with low-dose CT scans to people at higher risk.
Treatment depends on the type and stage and may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Common signs
- A cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
- Coughing up blood
- Breathlessness
- Chest infections that keep coming back
- Losing weight
- Tiredness
How it is usually diagnosed
- Chest X-ray
- CT and PET-CT scans
- Bronchoscopy or biopsy
- Molecular tests on the tumour
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Scan reports
- Biopsy and histology reports, including molecular results
- Lung function tests
- Oncology letters and treatment summaries
Questions to ask your doctor
- What type and stage of lung cancer is it?
- Are there targeted treatments for my cancer?
- What support is there to stop smoking?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Coughing up a lot of blood, severe breathlessness, or swelling of the face and neck: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.