Many people will not have any symptoms of lung cancer, even when they are diagnosed with the disease. Diagnosis of lung cancer is often by accident and happens when the chest is x-rayed for another reason. However, overall most people will have some symptoms. Usually, though, even when symptoms are present they are misdiagnosed as other respiratory illnesses.

The following are things to watch for that could be symptoms of lung cancer:

• Persistent cough

• Coughing up blood

• Deadly chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• A cough that develops suddenly and gets worse

• Breathless

• Hoarseness

• Reappearance of respiratory diseases

It is easy to see why these symptoms may just be brushed off as another respiratory illness. However, you have to be persistent, especially if you are experiencing more than one of these symptoms of lung cancer. You may wish to ask for specific tests, like x-rays, which are relatively easy to get and noninvasive.

A doctor will be more likely to grant that request then he would if you were asking for a more extensive test. Most of the time a doctor will be willing to consider your concerns and this may just be what you need to get the test that will allow you an early lung cancer diagnosis.

The other things to aware that are associated to causes of lung cancer include the following things are a result of cancer cells in the body. These things occur as a reaction to the presence of cancer and can be an indication of any type of cancer, not just lung cancer.

• Cancer present in the liver, adrenal glands, bones or brain.

• Extra tissue under the nail

• New bone growth in the arms or legs

• Anemia 

• Muscle weakness

• Skin rashes

• High levels of calcium in the blood

• Low levels of sodium in the blood

• degeneration of the brain

• Weight loss

• Fatigue

It is not easy to diagnose any type of cancer, however with the puzzling lung cancer symptoms, it is even harder to diagnose this type of cancer. It is very important for anyone that is at high risk for developing lung cancer just to be aware of the symptoms of lung cancer.

Doctors may be reluctant to test for cancer as insurance limitations, thus it’s up to you to take problems into your hands and demand to test if you actually feel this is needed.