3. Chest Pain
Unexplained chest pain that doesn’t go away is another warning sign of lung cancer. The pain may be sharp, dull, or constant, and it can worsen when you breathe deeply, cough, or laugh. In some cases, the pain may radiate to your back, shoulders, or arms, making it easy to confuse with muscle strain, heart problems, or other conditions.
Chest pain occurs when tumors press against nerves or the lining of the lungs (pleura). Persistent pain should never be ignored and warrants immediate medical evaluation, particularly if it’s accompanied by other symptoms such as a cough or shortness of breath.
