FAQ: Is my new health issue a lung cancer symptom? The largest challenge for lung carcinoma patients is that often their disease is not diagnosed until the late stages of the cancer's progression. Below are some Frequently Asked Questions about lung cancer potential symptoms. Is my cough a lung cancer symptom? One of the few symptoms that about 40% of patients do notice early on in the course of this disease is a new cough or a change in the type of persistent cough. Up to 85% of lung carcinoma patients are smokers, who may have a persistent just as a matter of course. What is key is identifying changes in their typical baseline smoker's cough. The changes may be subtle, a change in frequency or intensity. Some minor pain may accompany the cough. What does specks of blood from coughing mean? Speck of blood from coughing may be a cancer sign, or the sign of another serious lung disease such as tuberculosis or a fungal infection. This symptom you should never "wait out." Always see a doctor if you have even the slightest blood speckling as the result of a cough. Is recurring bronchitis or pneumonia a symptom of lung carcinoma or its own problem? The answer is that chronic lung infections can either be a symptom of lung cancers or of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Both are life threatening disorders and need the involvement of your physician. Bronchitis is generally not life threatening in and of itself, but when it is a COPD symptom it is the canary in the coal mine of your overall health. This is a progressive lung disorder, where the lungs slowly lose their oxygen exchange capacity. Could my body aches be a symptom of cancer? Unfortunately, a common lung cancer symptom that is very non-specific to cancer is an increase of bone pain. Whether it is thoracic back pain referred from tumors in the chest or actual cancer activity in the bone marrow from metastasized lung cancer cells. It is particularly difficult to pin down because of the age group where lung cancers are prevalent: adults age 45 to 65. Again, knowing your baseline of body pain is critical to recognizing the difference between symptoms and status quo. I for one know there's a ton of lung cancer information scattered all around the web, and I know it can be somewhat depressing to go through much of it. I have compiled all that researched so it might benefit others. I put many months of research into a useful guide. There's no charge of course and I think you'll appreciate the simplicity of it. Its at MyLungCancerGuide.com. While you are there, you'll find this article about Lung Cancer Symptom and many other very straight forward, helpful articles. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Paula_Anfuso/913546 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5844725