Respiratory Symptoms Awareness

Be Clear on Cancer - Respiratory Symptoms

If you have been coughing for 3 weeks or get out of breath easily, please tell your doctor.

A persistent cough

Everyone gets a cough now and then but a cough that doesn't go away could be a sign of lung cancer or other lung disease. If you've had a cough for three weeks or more, tell your doctor. It’s probably nothing serious but if it is a lung disease, such as lung cancer or COPD (which stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), finding it early makes it more treatable.

Breathlessness

We all get short of breath sometimes, especially if we've done something energetic that we're not used to, like running up a hill. But if you get out of breath doing everyday things that you used to be able to do, like vacuuming or mowing the lawn, it could be a sign of lung disease or heart disease. Breathlessness can also be a symptom of other conditions such as anxiety or anaemia. The good news is that the conditions that cause shortness of breath can often be treated. So it's important to see your doctor if your breathing is difficult or uncomfortable, or if it feels like you can’t get enough air.

Find out more about these symptoms, possible causes and how to help yourself stay healthy