Persistent cough, chest pain, or breathlessness? Pulmonologist explains when these could signal lung cancer

Lung cancer often causes no symptoms in early stages, making early detection difficult.

A cough lasting more than three weeks, changes in cough nature, or blood-stained sputum should not be ignored.

Other warning signs include breathlessness, chest pain, recurrent chest infections, wheezing, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, persistent fatigue, or hoarse voice.

Lung cancer is not confined to smokers; second-hand smoke, air pollution, occupational dust, chemicals, toxic gas fumes, and genetic susceptibility can also cause it.

Diagnostic technique advances have made earlier detection possible, as noted by pulmonologist Dr Apar Jindal.