Because cigarettes contain substances such as nicotine, they are highly addictive to people. There are many long-term smokers in our country, and they are already addicted to smoking, making it very difficult to truly quit smoking.
However, smoking for years poses great harm to health because smoking is one of the important factors that can trigger lung cancer. Long-term smokers have a much higher chance of developing lung cancer compared to non-smokers. Therefore, long-term smokers should pay attention to any signals their bodies may be sending and undergo timely check-ups.
Men who smoke regularly need to be cautious. If they experience the following 5 conditions, it is advisable to undergo check-ups promptly:
1. Persistent coughing
Many respiratory diseases present with coughing as the initial symptom, but in general, the symptoms improve relatively quickly. In the case of lung tumors, the coughing can become more severe over time, and there may be no significant improvement even after taking medication.
Some patients may even experience a choking sensation, feeling as if there is something in their airway without any actual foreign object present.
Or if they notice wheezing or whistling sounds when coughing, or if the frequency or nature of their cough changes before bedtime, it is advisable to undergo a check-up promptly.
2. Coughing up blood or bloody phlegm
If blood is present in the phlegm while coughing, or if there is actual coughing up of blood, immediate medical examination is crucial. This is because when lung tumors reach a moderate to severe stage, they can affect blood vessels.
Fragile blood vessels can rupture, leading to blood in the phlegm or coughing up blood. Especially for male smokers experiencing this, further investigation for conditions such as bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, and pneumonia is necessary.
3. Unexplained back pain
If one experiences unusual pain in the shoulder or back areas without any apparent cause, joint injuries, or excessive fatigue, it could be a signal from lung tumors, especially those occurring at the apex of the lungs.
In the early stages, chest pain symptoms may not be very pronounced, but when they affect adjacent brachial plexus nerves, it can cause compressive pain. If this kind of pain persists without relief over time, it should not be ignored.
4. Hoarseness of voice
In the early stages of lung cancer, varying degrees of hoarseness in voice may occur. Even with increased hydration, medication, and rest, the hoarseness may not improve. This is because as lung tumors grow to a certain extent, they can compress the nerves that control the vocal cords in the chest cavity.
This can lead to hoarseness and difficulty in breathing. Therefore, long-term smokers should be alert to any hoarseness in their voices.
5. Unexplained weight loss
As tumors progress, patients may experience different degrees of weight loss because cancer cells grow rapidly and require a lot of nutrients, depriving normal cells of much-needed nutrition, leading to weight loss. If a long-term smoker experiences sudden weight loss without intentional dieting, it is advisable to undergo a check-up promptly.
Although the presence of the above symptoms does not necessarily indicate lung cancer, it is safer to actively screen for it. It is recommended that smokers quit smoking promptly and avoid exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke.
