It’s not difficult to work out what causes lung cancer. If you don’t smoke then your chances of getting it are small. The earlier you start smoking the more likely you are to get lung cancer. Filters or low tar doesn’t protect neither does switching to pipes or cigars the only way to lower your risk is to stop smoking completely.

Early signs

Common symptoms of lung cancer include:

• A cough that doesn’t go away after two to three weeks.
• Worsening or change of a long-standing cough
• Persistent chest infections
• Unexplained persistent breathlessness
• Unexplained persistent tiredness or lack of energy
• Unexplained persistent weight loss
• Persistent chest and/or shoulder pain

There are many other causes of these symptoms, so just because you have some of them it doesn’t mean you have lung cancer. However these syptoms might mean something is wrong with your body. You should seek medical advice if you are concerned. If you have a long term chest complaint such as bronchitis you should see your GP regularly as there is a link with lung cancer.