• Condition
• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Lung Cancer

Publication date: November 2003          Last updated: August 2011.

Review date: May 2012.

 

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers. We interviewed 46 people about their experiences of this condition. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

• >> Lung Cancer >> Lung Cancer

Publication date: November 2003          Last updated: August 2011.

Review date: May 2012.

 

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers. We interviewed 46 people about their experiences of this condition. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

• >> Lung Cancer >> Lung Cancer

Publication date: November 2003          Last updated: August 2011.

Review date: May 2012.

 

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers. We interviewed 46 people about their experiences of this condition. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

• Topic
• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Lung Cancer - Signs, symptoms and delay in diagnosis >> Lung Cancer - Signs, symptoms and delay in diagnosis

Signs, symptoms and delay in diagnosis

• >> Lung Cancer >> Lung Cancer - Signs, symptoms and delay in diagnosis >> Lung Cancer - Signs, symptoms and delay in diagnosis

Signs, symptoms and delay in diagnosis

• >> Lung Cancer >> Lung Cancer - Signs, symptoms and delay in diagnosis >> Lung Cancer - Signs, symptoms and delay in diagnosis

Signs, symptoms and delay in diagnosis

• Clip
• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview LC25 >> Her initial signs and symptoms were breathlessness and weight loss.

Lung cancer diagnosed in 2002, treated with chemotherapy.

• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> aged 40-50 >> Interview LC06 >> She first consulted her doctor because of a painful arm and numb fingers.

Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002, followed by chemotherapy, and about to start radiotherapy.

• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> aged 40-50 >> Interview LC10 >> His lung cancer was found after he consulted his GP about another matter.

Diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer 2002, left lobectomy (lobe of left lung removed), and thyroplasty implant (designed to treat disabilities associated with vocal cord paralysis) 2002.

• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview LC07 >> His initial symptoms included a persistent cough and blood in the sputum.

Diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer May 2002, followed by chemotherapy June-September 2002, and by radiotherapy from outside the chest to the lung October 2002.

• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview LC13 >> He went to the hospital with chest pains which were at first diagnosed as angina.

Diagnosed with small cell lung cancer 2002, treated with chemotherapy, then radiotherapy from outside the chest to the lung, and radiotherapy to the head to prevent spread to the brain.

• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview LC01 >> Her first symptom was fatigue, which she put down to overwork.

Diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer April 2002, followed by chemotherapy, and then lobectomy. In October 2002 metastases in the brain, treated with radiotherapy (died in February 2003).

• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview LC27 >> His loss of voice was a sign that the cancer had recurred.

Lung cancer diagnosed in 1999. Left lobectomy (lobe of lung removed) in April 2002. Recurrence detected in lymph nodes in 2002, treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (died June 2003).

• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview LC28 >> Initially he had repeated chest infections that did not respond to antibiotics.

Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2000, followed by pneumonectomy (right lung removed) in April 2000.

• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview LC15 >> The first sign that anything was wrong was when he coughed up a load of thick blood.

Diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in 1989, followed by lobectomy (removal of lobe of left lung).

• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview LC23 >> Before mesothelioma was diagnosed he had a suspected chest infection, pain in the chest, and pain in the shoulder.

Diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2002, and is having palliative care (died July 2003).

• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview LC11 >> She delayed seeking help for her cough because she did not think she had a serious problem.

Diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in 1995. Since then has been treated with regular chemotherapy, at least every nine months.

• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview LC43 >> His wife found the Internet useful, particularly when looking for the symptoms of mesothelioma.

Diagnosed with mesothelioma in April 2003, followed by left extra-pleural pneumonectomy (left lung removed, together with chest lining, diaphragm, and lining round the heart, and replaced with Gore-Tex).

• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview LC18 >> Asserts that smokers are stigmatized and that GPs don't investigate symptoms as promptly as they might with other cancers.

Diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2002. Had a pleurodesis operation in February 2002, followed by radiotherapy (to relieve symptoms) in April and October 2002 (died July 2003).

• Cancer >> Lung Cancer >> Aged 61-70 >> Sue - Interview 47 >> When Sue breathed out it sounded almost like an instrument starting up.

Sue was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008. She had 4 cycles of chemotherapy, which was effective, but had bad side effects. When the tumour grew again in 2009 she started a biological therapy, erlotinib (Tarceva) with good results, and is still having it.