Lung cancer symptoms: The phlegm colour you should never ignore
Lung cancer: Dr Amir describes the symptoms
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Lung cancer affects around one in four people in the UK alone, yet Cancer Research has found that a shocking 79 percent of cases could be prevented. Spotting the early signs is one of the best ways to stop cancer in its tracks – and there is one crucial clue in your spit that could lead to a diagnosis. Blood in your sputum is often passed off as something less serious, despite being a common symptom of lung cancer – but when should you be concerned?
Around 47,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with lung cancer each year.
Despite the fast-growing nature of cancerous tumours, there are often no obvious signs or symptoms of lung cancer until the condition reaches the later stages.
Blood in your sputum is just one of a number of common side effects which can occur in those with lung cancer, but what does it really mean?
According to the American Cancer Society, coughing up blood is not generally associated with any particular stage of lung cancer – which is why it is so important to never ignore it.
What are the common symptoms of lung cancer?
Despite being linked to a wide range of concerning health conditions, bloody phlegm is often accompanied by other vague symptoms which are known to be caused by lung cancer.
According to the NHS, the most common signs are:
- Persistent cough
- Persistent breathlessness
- Unexplained tiredness and weight loss
- An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- Coughing up blood
In addition to these widely recognised symptoms, the American Cancer Society acknowledges further side effects which are also linked to lung cancer.
These include:
- Hoarseness
- Loss of appetite
- Recurring or persistent infections with bronchitis and pneumonia
- New onset of wheezing
Why does lung cancer cause blood in your sputum?
It is important to distinguish that blood in your spit while brushing your teeth is unlikely to be a sign of cancer – and is more likely an indication of poor oral health.
Coughing up blood from the lungs is known as a condition called hemoptysis.
According to the medically accredited website Healthline, blood which has come from the lungs is often bright red and frothy and can be mixed with mucus.
Spitting blood which is caused by lung cancer stems from bleeding in the airway – a direct side effect of a tumour affecting the organ.
If the blood is dark and appears with food, it is more likely to be coming from the digestive tract and requires urgent medical attention.
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What else could it mean if you have blood in your sputum?
Blood that appears while coughing is also a known symptom of metastatic lung cancer – a type of cancer which has spread to the lungs from another area of the body.
Healthline explains that this causes a primary and secondary cancer diagnosis – with the origin of the tumour being the primary cancer and the lung cancer being the secondary form of this life-threatening condition.
Cancers that commonly spread to the lungs include:
- Bladder cancer
- Bone cancer
- Breast cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Testicular cancer
Aside from cancer, unexplained blood in your sputum could be caused by a number of other health conditions.
While some are still equally as serious as lung cancer, others can be treated more easily.
Healthline suggests that red, bloody sputum could also be a sign of:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Esophageal cancer
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
- Lung abscess
- Mitral valve stenosis
- Parasitic infection
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism
- Tuberculosis
If you are concerned about the presence of blood when you cough or spit, you should seek professional medical advice immediately.
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