The lung tissue itself does not have pain nerves, so early-stage lung cancer usually does not cause pain. This makes it difficult for patients to perceive abnormalities in the lungs through pain.
Early symptoms of lung cancer are often non-specific, which may include persistent cough, sputum production, coughing up blood, chest pain, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are similar to common diseases like the common cold and bronchitis, making them easy to overlook.
During the growth process, lung cancer may not cause obvious symptoms for a long period. More noticeable symptoms only appear when the tumor reaches a certain size, invades adjacent tissues or organs, or metastasizes.
Although low-dose spiral CT scans can be used for lung cancer screening, not everyone is suitable for such screening. Moreover, the popularity and acceptance of screening still need to be improved.