Community

The symptoms of lung cancer can include any of the following: -Repeated chest infections that don't improve even after treatment -A persistent cough or change in a long term cough -Shortness of breath, for example difficulty breathing when climbing stairs -Coughing up blood-stained phlegm (sputum) -Chest pain, either a dull ache or sharp pain especially when you take a breath in or cough. -Unexplained weight loss or loss of apetite -Feeling more tired than usual. Remember all of these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer. If you have any of these symptoms it is important to go to your GP.

Mesothelioma is a type of lung cancer. Your lungs are covered by two layers called the pleura. These layers are separated and kept moist by a small amount of fluid. The pleura are very thin and the fluid allows them to slide over each other with ease. This allows your lungs to expand and contract as you breath in and out. Mesothelioma causes the pleura to become hard or thicken and can cause a build up of fluid. This makes it more difficult for your lungs to expand and contract as normal, making it difficult to breath. Asbestos exposure is the main cause of pleural mesothelioma. When asbestos is broken or damaged it releases fibres into the air that are then breathed into the lungs. These fibres are very tiny and can reach into the smallest areas of the lung where they remain, too tiny to cough or breath out. The body attempts to break the fibres down and remove them unsuccessfully. This results in swelling in the surrounding lung tissue. The tiny fibres can also infiltrate through the lung and into the pleura where they can remain and slowly develop into mesothelioma. Those most commonly affected by asbestos exposure include builders, plumbers, electricians, shipbuilders. Symptoms of mesothelioma often do not arise for some years after asbestos exposure. Most patients will go to the GP complaining of breathing problems, this usually comes on gradually. Chest pain can also occur on the side of the tumour. Other symptoms include cough, loss of appetite, swallowing difficulties, weight loss, tiredness, hoarseness and sweating. Cancer Information Services National Cancer Helpline Freefone 1800 200 700 (mon-thurs 9am-7pm, fri 9am-5pm)

I have been diagnosed with B.A.C. the best cancer you can have so I have been informed. Would like to chat with other people who would like to share experiences, at the moment I have a cough that comes and goes. Very little is known about this cancer. I have had B.A.C since 2010, in 1998 I had my left lower lobe removed. In 2004 a shadow was seen and I was informed that this was pneumonia, however I have now been informed that this infact this B.A.C. so you can say I have had B.A.C since that date. F illing well as I do, it's like carrying a time bomb in my chest, every time I cough I think this is it time to book the fare well party. Positive side is that I have the support of my partner and family members and I filling great. Any one out there who wants to chat.

My Mum recently got the results of a ct scan she had done to examine her bowel. They found signs of diverticulitis but they also found two nodules in her left lung, one in her upper lobe and one in her lower lobe, they measured 2mm and 5mm. They had not been looking for anything like this as it was her bowel they wanted to look at. They also founds cysts in her kidneys, she has past hx of kidney stones. My mum is a smoker for 50 years ! History of unexplained weight loss also over last year. The plan is to repeat ct scan in 1year. Doc said nodules to small to investigate surgically. Is that enough of a follow up ? Is there anything else she should be having ? There was no talk of cancer but it was in back of my mind and just want to make sure she gets the best follow up.

Hi all, This post is from a worried son. My dad was a smoker for about 25 years he gave up a year and a half ago. He is now retired and very happy (I think) Afew months ago he was coming home from leaving my sister at the bus when he had to pull the car over with heart pulputations he was sent to the hospital and was given the all clear. He went back for other test and is now going fo an agiogram on Monday. In the mean time he got a call from a doctor sayin they had found a spot on his lung in an x-ray (a little point I have to add is my dad is a very proud man and doesnt want to worry anyone) To be honest I dont know what the doctor said to him as he hasnt said and to be honest I hvent asked as I dont want to push him I sure he has enugh on his plate at the moment. Sorry but I'm not sure if I have made any sense with my explaination above but if anyone has any words of wisdom they could offer it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, A worried son of a very proud father who means the world to his son (although I may not have always showed it)

MY NAME IS LISA MY FATHER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 3A LUNG CANCER IN FEBRURARY. HE STARTED CHEMO LAST THURSDAY HE IS COPING VERY WELL BEEN NAUSATED TIRED NO HAIR LOSS YET WENT FOR A PINT ON FRIDAY SICKNESS HE SAID IS LIKE ACID VERY POSITIVE I AM ALSO VERY POSITIVE AS YOU KNOW IT IS THE HARDEST CANCER TO TREAT HAS ANYONE OUT THERE BEEN IN THIS POSITION. THANKING YOU AND TRYING TO BE VERYPOSITIVE LISA

Hi Can anyone advise us? I am only back in Ireland for 3 years from the UK, and don't understand the complexities of the health service, referrals etc but as a family we are at our limit in terms of disatisfaction. My Dad has small cell lung cancer being "maintained" by tarceva. He is being treated at a Regional Hospital but I live in Dublin. We have had several minor concerns throughout the last 18 months regarding aspects of his treatment, like cancelled appointments or him going to appts, very sick from chemo & having to wait up to 3 hours to see who he was supposed to see. He is now very depressed, crying a lot, wont eat/wash, very very weak, wheezing after walking 10-15 feet. I have got him admitted twice in the past 2 months (through fighting to get him a bed) but each time I go back to work he is invariably discharged. They say he is physically ok but I can clearly see he isn't. W have tried 4 times to get an appt with his consultant to talk to them but cant get past the secretary. We now want him to get treated in Dublin. Whats the process we have to go through? He is a private patient. Please understand we know he is terminally ill, its not a denial thing, but he is being treated with such contempt currently & we want him to be treated with the respect he deserves & have his last few months be as peaceful & stress free as possible. As an example I contactedthem last tuesday( and every day since) to beg to see someone as he was refusing to eat, couldn't walk and was in great distress & they have yet to get him an appointment. Any advice gratefully recieved. Orla

I have posted on this site before i have found response very minimal for the amount of cancer suffering support to people very mimiimal maybe people are scared but it is great to share similar experience to know we are not only 1 experiencing this .as i have said before my father has stage 3a cancer luckily he is young 63 very strong tumor and lymph nodes have reduced but his cycle of chemo and radium is very aggressive this time he has had alot of setbacks this time but with his stage of cancer oncologist has told him he is in the long term survival rate of 10 per cent dat do survive in long term thank god. Ihope this helps

My Dad has extensive small cell lung cancer, liver and spots in his bone and brain. He has undergone chemo and never recovered from it to be honest. He is very fatigued. He started some pallitive radiotherapy yesterday for five sessions to hopefully reduce the new tumour blocking his airway. I suppose I would like to hear from anyone in a similar situation. We lost our Mom 7 yrs ago to lung cancer and its unbelievably hard and unfair to be here again... Has anyway gone through this twice? How do you get through it? (for some reason I am finding this week very hard, we had a meeting yesterday with the consultant who looked after my Mom and it really knocked me back to 7 yrs ago)I really want tips for myself and my brothers and sisters cos Dad deserves the best from us. Any advice, support or suggestions would be great.. Sorry for moaning

Hi everyone, I'm new to this. My Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer 2 weeks ago. Its a substancial tumour at 5cm we were told, but we got a phone call last week saying that they could operate on it. It was the best news we were hoping for. So now he's being admitted tomorrow and they will operate on Thurs. We haven't spoken to the surgeon yet so don't know exactly what it will entail. Have read up about it online here, but was wondering if anyone knew first hand how he will feel after, and what loosely lies ahead for him . He's a young man of 63years, has recently in the last couple of months given up smoking doesn't drink and would be an active man, walks every day and eats well so he is doing everything right. And also if anyone has any ideas of what I can do for him, we are extremly close so want do everything i possibly can. Be great to get some feed back and also hear from people who are going through or gone through it. Oh and keep smiling :)