Hi Roffess and thank you for your post. 

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling so concerned about your health

I can understand that smoking makes you more aware of your own health but try if you can not to think the worst. Lung cancer at your age is not common. Other conditions can cause a cough and rib pain, such as  Costochondritis, but you have done the right thing and sought advice from your GP. 

The NHS Inform website has written some useful information about what might be the cause of coughs.

I am afraid you will  need to wait for the x-ray results to learn more.

In the meantime, Anxiety UK  offers helpful tips and advice on how to manage situations like these.

You may also like to read our webpage on How to stop smoking.

I really hope you know more soon and that everything will be okay for you.

If your gp doesn’t already know about the shaking and vomiting or if you develop any new symptoms before your xray please let your GP know.

I hope you find this information helpful. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Take care,

Tina

Cancer Information Nurse

Thanks so much Tina. I just want to say we all appreciate everything the nurses here do. The pain has been localised to my lower rib now for three days. It’s been ongoing since a rib break after coughing with Covid in 2021. I’ve raised it 7 times and had one chest x ray that confirmed the break then but no answers since, hence my worry,  I’ll keep anyone posted who happens to search this type of pain and cough. Thank you again for all the links too x