If you experience these symptoms repeatedly, you could have lung cancer: “You should see a doctor”

Every November 17, International Lung Cancer Day is marked worldwide, and Spain’s Association of People Affected by Lung Cancer (AEACaP) used the occasion to stress how crucial it is to recognize early symptoms. Catching the disease in time can lead to an earlier diagnosis and significantly improve the chances of successful treatment.

Through its campaign “Detecta las señales,” (simply meaning ‘detect the symptoms’), the group is aiming to counter widespread misinformation and help potential patients spot lung-cancer warning signs before it is too late. In Spain, three out of four people diagnosed say they did not know the first red flags of the disease, according to the report Emotions and Experiences of People with Lung Cancer, produced by AEACaP and Fundación Más que Ideas.

The main early signs of lung cancer

The association highlights the importance of identifying four symptoms that frequently appear in the earliest stages of diagnosed patients. Among them, 25.5% reported a persistent cough; 19.8% experienced fatigue or weakness; another 19.8% had chest pain; 13.2% struggled to breathe; and 10.8% reported unexplained weight loss.

Having any of these symptoms does not automatically mean someone has this disease. They can also be linked to other conditions, which leads one in three patients to wait more than a month before consulting a doctor. An early diagnosis can be decisive for successful treatment, and if any of these symptoms linger, seeking medical advice is recommended.

People who smoke – and those who don’t

Bernard Gaspar, president of AEACaP, underscored at a press conference how important it is to recognize symptoms early. “If we notice any of these signs, or several of them repeatedly or persistently, we really should go to a doctor and get checked.” In some cases, he said, it may turn out to be a false alarm, “but if it is, at least we’re trying to detect the problem as soon as possible.”

Gaspar explained that the campaign does not aim to provoke panic or overwhelm health centers every time someone develops a slight cough. Its purpose, he said, is to create “a more informed society, one that understands the need to stay alert to the initial signs of lung cancer.” He also reminded the public that the disease can occur in people who smoke and in those who have never smoked.

Patient experiences

Stephanie Oyonarte Da Rocha, a patient and board member at AEACaP, described her first symptoms. She initially noticed a change in her fingers, joint pain and a persistent pain in her back. She recalls experiencing some of the same symptoms commonly associated with lung cancer. “It made me think something wasn’t right, but I never imagined it could be lung cancer,” she said.

María Ángeles Marín, also a patient and the association’s vice-president, said she dealt with a persistent cough, back pain and some weight loss. “Since I have asthma, a herniated disc and was on a strict diet because my blood sugar had dropped, everything seemed to have an explanation,” she said.

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