Lung Cancer

Find out about the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer and when to get tested

Who is at risk of Lung Cancer?

Around 72% of lung cancer deaths in the UK are caused by tobacco smoking. Overall tobacco smoking is estimated to be responsible for more than 21% of cancer deaths in the UK.

Smoking is not the only cause and the key lung cancer risks include:

Family History

A family history of lung cancer in a first-degree relative (i.e. parent/sibling/child) is associated with a two-fold increased risk, independent of smoking. Lung cancer is more common in White than in Black or Asian people.

Lifestyle Factors

There are no lifestyle factors that are strongly associated with lung cancer other than smoking. However, you can help reduce your overall cancer risk by maintaining a healthy weight, reducing your alcohol intake below recommended Government guidance, stopping smoking and undertaking regular exercise.

Environmental factors

Radon gas, a naturally occurring radioactive gas and other types of ionising radiation. Also, several industrial carcinogens, for example, arsenic and polycyclic hydrocarbons as well as some occupations including non-ferrous metal production and painting. Air pollution is also a factor.

Why can’t I have lung check if I have a family history or am concerned about my environmental risk

Lung cancer screening using low dose CT scans has only been assessed in people with a strong smoking history (current or ex-smokers that have smoked around a pack a day for around 20 years). There is no research to support CT scan screening for those with a family history of lung cancer or exposure to environmental factors. It is likely with this lower risk that CT screening might be harmful due to both the risks of the radiation dose and the discovery of incidental findings on the scans that lead to interventions that are not needed.

What should you look out for? What are the symptoms?

Sadly the majority of people have no symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer. Any symptoms will vary depending on how far advanced the cancer is and its position within the chest.

The main symptoms include:

Appetite loss
Fatigue
Weight loss
A persistent cough or a change in a long-standing cough
Breathlessness or shortness of breath
Coughing up blood (phlegm with blood in it)
Aches or pains when breathing or coughing
Persistent chest infections that don’t respond
to medical treatment

Be Lung Aware

Are you showing any of these common symptoms of suspected lung cancer?

Appetite loss

Fatigue

Weight loss

A persistent cough or a change in a long-standing cough

Breathlessness or shortness or breath

Coughing up blood (phlegm with blood in it)

Aches or pains when breathing or coughing

Persistent chest infections that don’t respond to medical treatment

The following symptoms are less common and are usually associated with the more advanced stages of lung cancer. They include:

Difficulty when swallowing
A hoarse voice
Finger clubbing – changes to the shape of the fingers and fingernails
Swelling of the face and neck which may be due to obstruction of the venous drainage
Persistent pain in the chest and/or shoulder

How to reduce your risk

Changes to your lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of lung cancer including:

Stopping smoking – find out more about starting a smoking cessation programme with the NHS by clicking here

Why should I get tested?

As with all cancers, survival rates for lung cancer depend on the stage at which the disease is detected, as well as other general factors such as health and gender.

Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer with approximately 88% of all cases having this type.

Small cell lung cancer is fast-growing and the most aggressive type of lung cancer that occurs more frequently in men than women. It accounts for approximately 12% of all lung cancers and, in the majority of cases, is the result of smoking. It is quite rare to see patients with small-cell lung cancer who have never smoked. The most common forms of small cell lung cancer treatments are chemotherapy and radiotherapy and, if the disease is in the early stages, there is a potential for a cure.

Adenocarcinoma is a non-small cell lung cancer that is more commonly found in women and non-smokers, and it is the most common type of lung cancer for people under 45. Unfortunately, the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the lung is on the increase in the UK and it is now one of the most common types of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma accounts for approximately 50% of all non-small cell lung cancers and begins in the outer sections of the lung (although it can occur as central lesions) which can make it difficult to detect in the early stages of the disease. It develops from lung cells that produce mucus and, unlike many other types of lung cancer, it is more likely to remain in one area giving better opportunities for treatment.

Early detection is vital in the treatment options and survival rates of people with lung cancer.

How can I get tested? What are the tests available and how does it work?

Our service is a quick and easy way to detect lung cancer in the early stages and will also assess your risk of developing the disease.

If you are worried about non-small cell lung cancer or any other type of lung cancer and think you may have symptoms or be at risk, please contact Check4Cancer to arrange a LungCheck.

Check4Cancer’s LungCheck will provide you with a radiologist report of your low dose CT scan.

Find out more

Why do you have to be a certain age to access screening?

Cancer screening is available at ages when the benefits are greatest, and the harms are smallest. These ages are determined by research and clinical guidance to ensure the benefits of screening outweigh the risks to individuals.

People who are at a younger age than the screening age limits are generally at a lower risk of cancer so for this group, the harms of screening would outweigh the benefits.

If you are experiencing any symptoms, screening is not suitable for you so please contact your GP as soon as possible to discuss your symptoms.

What if I am at higher risk and below the age limit for screening?

If you have been found to be at a higher risk for a particular cancer type, it is still important for you to be aware of this information. This could be as a result of your family history and/or your lifestyle factors. If you have a strong family history of a particular cancer you should speak with your GP to see if you are eligible for earlier NHS screening.

If your lifestyle factors are increasing your risk, you can visit the Education Hub to access information and guidance around possible ways to reduce your risk.