Scared I have lung cancer.

Hi,

Sorry if I offend anyone as I haven't been diagnosed with cancer although I am fearful I may have it. I have had a persistent cough for going on 14 weeks now and recently coughed up a little blood, I also had a little upper back pain intermittently. I am an ex smoker of 17 years ( quit 5 years ago) and I am a man of 39 years old. 

This prompted a visit to the gp who said it was probably viral or could be acid reflux and prescribed me some antibiotics and anti reflux meds. He also sent me for a chest x ray too which was clear. The cough has got better but is still there.

I brought up a little blood again a week later not through coughing but though pulling it up from my throat so contacted an out of hours GP who sent me to A&E to get checked out. They took bloods and examined me and sent me for another chest x ray both the bloods and x ray were clear.

I think the a&e doctor may have taken pity on me as she said everything looks fine but was gonna send me for a ct scan(which is on the 27 th December)  to put my mind at rest. I still have the cough and intermittent back pain also have had a little fleeting arm pain and weakness, could be down to aniexty as I am so nervous and worried it's pretty much on my mind all the time. 

I have two young children you see and it terrifies me I won't get to see them grow up. 

 

  • Dear Joy 

    Thank you soo much for your kind words and taking precious time to talk to me a stranger . I am trying so hard not to allow my panic to take over me but it's difficult. You are a kind and brave lady and I thank you for your reply x I am so scared and my mental health isn't good at the moment.Thank you for your kind words and comfort it has helped me xx

    Lisa

  • I have to say your post has made me feel at ease. I have the exact same signs as you. Feared the worst but my cough has improved but still spitting blood. No idea where its coming from but am not coughing this up.  Thanks for this post.  I have to wait until Feb till i go to the respiratory experts. 

  • I also sit here and worry if I have lung cancer.  I started feeling the need to take deeper breaths about 19 months ago.  It's almost like I have to sigh more. I went to the doctor first in Nov 2023 with the symptom and she sent me to the hospital for a chest Xray.  That came back clear.  I alway fear that radiologists also make mistakes and miss something,  I was prescribed inhalers for Asthma at that stage.  It all worked for about 5 months or so then I started getting good and bad days when I would have to take deeper breaths.  Then I went back to the doctors last year August and she put me on a stronger inhaler.  She also sent me to the hospital again for the second Xray and that came back clear.  So I had 2 Xrays almost 2 years apart and both clear.  I have been referred to a pulmonologist which is next week and really worried about what he may find.  I am 50 years old and smoked but gave up 19 months ago.  I have a 9 year old son and worry about not being around for him. I am always on Dr Google and it doesn't make me feel any better.  Have you got your CT scan results back yet?  I am sure you will be all clear x

  • I also don't have a cough but have a bit of a tight chest although it's quite slight.  I think we all worry about these things but we are all doing the right thing getting tests etc.  Sometimes it takes an extra push to get the doctors to do more tests so that we can reassure ourselves..  Absolutely nothing wrong with that.