Scared I have lung cancer

It could well be asthma so don't panic.

It’s much more likely you have something less serious than cancer but I appreciate you are scared. Well done for seeing your GP and I hope the X-ray will put your mind at rest . Please make your appt ASAP and be reassured. Let us know how you get on

Thank you for your replies. The doctor has made a request to the hospital for the chest x ray, so I suppose I'll get a letter when it's arranged.

Pneumonia could be a candidate.

What Twice said. Hope you hear soon and it goes well.

There is a checklist of symptoms for which, if you are over 40, you should be referred for an urgent chest x ray. You have two of them. The GP is just following the recommended procedure, please don’t worry.

Please don’t worry ... a few years ago,I had a cough tinged with blood and shortness of breath . I was sure I had lung cancer. X-ray showed I had Asthma and Bronchiectasis.
I’m on medication (inhalers)

Sorry I should have said ‘for which, if you have two of them and are over 40.’

Thank you for your comments, you are a very kind bunch of people on here!

Were you a heavy smoker for a long time? if not then it is very unlikely.

Antonia

Thank you for your comments, you are a very kind bunch of people on here!

Some of us have been there ourselves or know people who have. It’s scary and it’s human to be scared. In some ways this is the worst time - waiting and not knowing

Please dont worry chances are that it's nothing.

That is untrue Monica. Our next door neighbour never smoked and died of lung cancer. There are lots of instances like that now.

I once had to have a camera pushed up my nose and down into my lungs to check for signs of cancer. Not pleasant but certainly not painful. I had coughed up a tiny streak of blood when I had a really bad cough about 17 yrs ago. Easy for me to say but don’t worry. I’ve had loads of chest xrays.

Yes, M0nica, I was a smoker until 7 years ago. So according to you, that makes cancer more likely? Your comment is the only one that hasn't been reassuring, and it actually sounds a little like victim blaming. I do know that I may have brought it on myself, but it doesn't help when people reinforce my own guilt.

The rest of you, many thanks for your reassuring comments.

I have brittle asthma and bronchiectasis. I often have chest xrays and CT scans to see what's going on. At least your doctor is being proactive.
It's normal procedure to refer someone for a chest xray with your symptoms.
It all depends on what other symptoms you have and for long you have had the symptoms.
It's difficult not to castastrophise, but once you have your xray, your doctor will have a better picture.

Just an addition, M0nica. I have followed your posts for along time and have always found them considered, intelligent and measured, so I may have sounded more abrupt than I actually meant.

Now that issue has been raised, here’s a good link if you want to read it Antonia. It’s an impeccable source and has some positive news about the development of healthy lung cells in ex-smokers.

www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-us/cancer-news/press-release/2020-01-29-never-too-late-to-quit-protective-cells-could-cut-risk-of-lung-cancer-for-ex-smokers

I was concerned about my DS2 who has had a cough for at least two months. Eventually, he did go to the GP and has had a chest X-ray which has shown nothing amiss. The GP has given him an inhaler - it could be asthma caused by an allergy. I hope, for the cats' sake, they won't be the cause!

Thank you very much suziewoozie for that link. I've read it, and it's made me calmer.
annodomini I'm glad there was nothing wrong with your son's chest. Hope his inhaler works well for him.

Please try not to worry too much Antonia. I had similar symptoms plus recurring chest infections and after a chest x-ray and CAT scan I was also diagnosed with Bronchiestasis. Best wishes x

It could be pollen if there are any trees beginning to sprout.

Annodomini, I don’t mean to upset you. My asthma is triggered by cats. I just cannot go anywhere,where there’s a cat. But that could just be me. Your son will probably be fine.

Antonia it's natural to think the worst. Having the X ray will put your mind at rest and if you need treatment for anything at least it's caught earlier.

I have had recurring UTIs and 2 kidney infections. My GP is referring me to an urologist and having a blood test. I have already read up what examinations they could preform. Not pleasant but I will have done whatever they need to do. I need answers.