Australia’s tobacco industry has seen unprecedented growth in production in the past year, producing nearly $17.4 billion in annual profit. So, it is no longer surprising to know that the increasing number of lung-related diseases is also at an all-time high.

Lungs are a vital organ for survival, and without them, organisms essentially run out of oxygen and die. However, highly carcinogenic substances have marred the atmosphere and are now causing health problems. 

Cigarettes and tobacco are the leading causes of cancer. On a global scale, it is projected that cigarette-induced cancers have been the leading cause of mortality for around 80% of male individuals who have later on developed lung cancer. The demographics have also shown that those who habitually smoke one cigarette stick per day are more likely to suffer cardiac-related problems. Luckily, there are institutions present to help prevent this. And just like other medical groups, Smokefree helps Australians quit smoking and start a better life. 

So, to help you through, here are the three warning signs of lung cancer that you need to recognise early on:

• A Nagging Cough That Won’t Go Away Even With Treatment

One of the hallmark signs of developing lung cancer is a nagging cough. In people who have smoked for years, a nagging cough may be thought of as a trivial consequence of the byproducts of smoke produced when lighting a cigarette. However, this seemingly harmless symptom can conceal itself and may go unnoticed for years. 

Due to the extreme nature of the disease progression and the lack of awareness, most smokers may not go for a checkup since they immediately disregard the experience as a “common side effect” of smoking. So, it is essential to have your lungs regularly checked. In this way, you can have early detection for any abnormality.

• Pulmonary Infections That Always Comes Back

Another noteworthy thing about lung cancer is that it lowers your body’s immune system to a point where it becomes frail and vulnerable to infections. When malignant cells develop, they create new blood vessels and redirect the oxygen and nutrients to the malignant cells. And when this develops, the body is deprived of all of the essential substances needed for growth. Consequently, the frail immune system makes it easier for microorganisms to grow. Hence, one of the most commonly presented cases involving lung cancer is frequent re-hospitalisation due to lung infections. So, if ever you are concerned with this, it is not too late. You can always consult for a medical checkup and stop smoking as early as possible. In addition, there are a lot of rehabilitation groups that you can always attend. 

• Coughing up Blood

Another early indication that would most likely cause most people with lung cancer to consult a health checkup is when they experience coughing up blood. Most of the time, hemoptysis (the medical term for the coughing of blood) is due to damage to the lung tissue. 

Due to smoking, many people are exposing themselves to the damaging effects of the carcinogenic wastes found in the residual components of a regular cigarette stick. The prolonged exposure to these substances ultimately scars the lung tissue to a point where it is constantly inflamed. Hence, most people will experience this as a late sign of the disease progression. 

It is not always too late, and you can always consult for treatment and find support groups. And just like any other medical institution, Smokefree helps Australians quit smoking and stop relapses. And you must not remain hopeless about quitting smoking as there’s always hope with all the modern-day technologies and therapies.