Lung Cancer
Did you know?
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Tasmanians.
- Smoking is the major cause of lung cancer. Tasmania has the second highest rate of smoking of any state or territory in Australia.
- In 2016, 350 Tasmanians were diagnosed with lung cancer.
Common symptoms of lung cancer include:
- Coughing or spitting up blood, once or more
- A cough that lasts for three weeks, or a worsening or changing of a long standing cough
- Repeated chest infections
- Becoming more short of breath, tired or lacking energy
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent (long lasting) chest or shoulder pain
- Abdominal or joint pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of appetite.
If you have coughed up blood, even if it was just once, it’s important to tell your doctor straight away.
If you have had any of the other symptoms for more than four weeks, tell your doctor. It doesn’t mean you’ve got lung cancer – often these symptoms turn out to be something less serious. But it’s important to tell your doctor and get checked out to be safe.
If it is lung cancer, the earlier it’s found, the earlier it can be treated.
Reduce your risk
Tobacco smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer. Visit https://www.quittas.org.au/ for more information.
Lung cancer myths and facts
Myth: Lung cancer is a death sentence.
Fact: New treatments have increased survival rates, but finding cancer early is vital.
Myth: Only smokers get lung cancer.
Fact: Around 2 in 10 cases of lung cancer are not caused by tobacco smoking.
Myth: Lung cancer only affects men.
Fact: Lung cancer can affect anyone. More than 40% of lung cancer cases are in women.
Myth: The earliest symptom of lung cancer is coughing up blood.
Fact: The first symptoms are often a persistent cough and shortness of breath.
Myth: If you smoke it’s normal to have a cough.
Fact: Smokers often have a cough, but if you’re a smoker and notice any persistent changes in the way you cough, you need to tell your doctor.