In the columns of the Parade site, oncologist Yelena Patsiornik warns of a symptom of lung cancer that is often underestimated. A signal that should not be ignored, because it can delay the diagnosis, according to Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of True Medical.
An ordinary cough… which is not always
Initially, nothing to worry about. A scratchy throat, a cough that lingers after a viral episode, or that is attributed to the cold, pollution, tobacco. In everyday life, these symptoms are commonplace.
And this is precisely where the trap lies.
In the columns of the site Paradeoncologist Yelena Patsiornik draws attention to this often overlooked sign, even in people who do not smoke. Because if lung cancer is mainly linked to tobacco – more than 80% of cases according to the National Cancer Institute – it is not limited to it. Passive smoking also permanently exposes the lungs to toxic substances capable of altering cells and promoting their transformation.
In this context, persistent cough appears as an early signal, sometimes one of the first to emerge.
Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of True Medical, insists:
“The most common symptom is a persistent cough, that is, a cough that does not go away or that gets worse over time. It is often overlooked because it is easily attributed to a cold, smoking, asthma, bronchitis or a common irritation, whereas it can be the first sign of lung cancer.”
Behind this sentence, a clinical reality: patients who consult late, because their symptom did not seem sufficiently alarming.
The passage of time, a decisive factor
In lung cancer, early diagnosis remains one of the main determinants of prognosis. The earlier the disease is detected, the more treatment options there are, and the greater the chances of survival.
But you still need to know when to worry.
Here again, the signal is subtle. A cough does not become worrying overnight. It settles, persists, sometimes evolves. It is this duration, this progressive transformation, which should raise the alarm.
Dr. Gérald Kierzek specifies:
“A cough should be considered abnormal if it persists beyond 3 to 4 weeks without an obvious cause, or if it changes from a usual cough, particularly in a person with chronic bronchitis or who smokes.“.
In other words, it is not only the presence of the symptom that counts, but its evolution. A cough that resists usual treatments, which becomes more frequent or more intense, deserves special attention.
Underlying this is an essential idea: listen to your body, even when the signals seem weak.
These discreet signs which must make people react
Cough alone may seem insufficient to trigger a consultation. However, it is sometimes accompanied by other manifestations, just as discreet – and just as important.
- Shortness of breath or recent difficulty breathing;
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Persistent or worsening chest pain, especially when breathing or coughing;
- Coughing up blood;
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Repeated respiratory infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia;
- Hoarseness or change in voice;
- Weight loss, unusual tiredness or loss of appetite.
So many signs which, taken in isolation, may seem trivial. But together, or over time, they paint a more worrying picture.
Certain symptoms should alert you immediately: the presence of blood in the sputum, marked difficulty breathing, or chest pain that does not subside.
Dr Gérald Kierzek clearly summarizes the action to be taken:
“In practice, consult without delay if a cough lasts more than 3 to 4 weeks, worsens or is accompanied by one of these warning signs. And in the event of blood in the sputum, severe shortness of breath or persistent chest pain, seek urgent medical advice.“.
Beyond respiratory symptoms, other more general clues may appear: unusual fatigue, unexplained weight loss, decreased appetite. Here again, their apparent banality can delay awareness.
Learn again not to trivialize
What this medical alert implicitly reminds us of is our collective tendency to minimize certain body signals. Out of habit, out of fear, or simply because they are part of everyday life.
However, in the case of lung cancer, this trivialization can cost time – precious time. Recognize that a persistent cough is not always harmless, agree to consult without delay, even without certainty: this is often where the difference comes into play. On an individual level, this may seem trivial.
At the public health level, this is a major challenge: earlier diagnosis for better treatment. And, sometimes, transform a simple cough into a real warning signal.