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General health information

Lung cancer

Lung cancer starts in the lungs or airways. Symptoms may remain vague for a long time, but a persistent cough, coughing up blood, breathlessness, hoarseness, chest pain and unintentional weight loss are important signs. Not everyone with lung cancer smokes, and nobody deserves stigma or blame. Suspected cancer is usually investigated with scans, tissue testing and staging to establish how far the disease has spread. Treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or palliative care.

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  • Lung cancer may cause few or vague symptoms for a long time.
  • A cough that does not go away, coughing up blood, breathlessness and weight loss are important signs.
  • Not everyone with lung cancer smokes. Smoking history must never be a reason for shame or poorer care.
  • Diagnosis usually requires scans and tissue examination.
  • Treatment depends on cancer type, stage and general fitness.

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Further reading

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Stomach cancerStomach cancer usually develops in the stomach lining. Early symptoms are often vague, but persistent stomach pain, feeling full quickly, difficulty swallowing, bleeding or unintentional weight loss need investigation.
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Oesophageal cancerOesophageal cancer is a malignant tumour of the oesophagus. Increasing swallowing problems and unintentional weight loss are important warning signs. Early referral offers the best chance of treatment.
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Kidney cancerKidney cancer usually develops from cells in the kidney tubules. A kidney tumour is often found by chance on a scan; blood in the urine, persistent flank pain or unexplained weight loss needs investigation.