Lung Cancer: Symptoms Often Appear Late
Low-dose CT screening saves lives in high-risk smokers.
Dr. Anne-Sophie Lefèvre
Oncologist
Heavy smokers (at least 20 pack-years) aged 50-80 benefit from annual low-dose chest CT, with shared decision-making.
Warning signs
- Persistent cough beyond 3 weeks
- Haemoptysis (blood in sputum)
- Unexplained breathlessness
- Chest pain
- Weight loss
Modern treatment
Molecular profiling guides therapy: EGFR, ALK, ROS1 and other targeted therapies, plus immunotherapy (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors), have transformed advanced lung cancer outcomes.
Prevention
Smoking cessation at any age reduces risk; benefits begin within months and grow over years.
Non-smokers can develop lung cancer too: radon, asbestos and air pollution all contribute.
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