Early Signs of Lung Cancer
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7 Early Signs of Lung Cancer

7 Early Signs of Lung Cancer
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Updated on June 23, 2025
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Smoking is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer, accounting for up to 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer deaths.

But while most people have long understood this link between smoking and lung cancer, you might be surprised to learn that the number of never-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer is on the rise. In fact, as many as 20 percent of people who die from lung cancer have never smoked.

Here are the early signs of lung cancer to watch out for.

Understanding The Signs And Symptoms Of Lung Cancer

Learn about the early warning signs and symptoms of lung cancer.
Understanding The Signs And Symptoms Of Lung Cancer

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Early Signs of Lung Cancer

Given the rise in lung cancer in people who don’t appear to have risk factors for the disease, it’s important to pay attention to troubling symptoms and bring them to a doctor’s attention.

Here are seven early warning signs to be attuned to, according to Michael Wert, MD, a pulmonary disease and critical care medicine doctor with the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

  • Shortness of Breath Shortness of breath is one of the main symptoms of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. But it’s also a symptom of lung cancer. If you’re an active person who can no longer walk up a few flights of stairs without stopping to huff and puff, then this is an unusual and concerning symptom.
  • Racing Heart “The younger people we end up diagnosing tend to have been active people,” says Dr. Wert. They’re the type to go on a five-mile run, and now they can feel their heart beating out of their chest as they walk to their car in the parking lot, he says. “Heart racing with minimal activity can be the first warning sign that something is going on.”
  • Chronic Cough Catching a cold or the flu virus is common, especially in the winter. And coughs can linger for a longer time than you’d expect (on average for 18 days). A dry, persistent, nagging cough that’s been around for four to six weeks or longer, however, may be an indication that you need an X-ray to check on your lungs.
  • Coughing Up Blood “This is never normal, and it requires an urgent evaluation,” says Wert. The causes can range from lung cancer to bronchitis or a viral or bacterial infection.
  • Weight Loss, Fever, Night Sweats Weight loss without dieting, fevers not related to an illness, and profuse night sweats “are all symptoms that would prompt your doctor to evaluate you for a hidden cancer,” says Wert.

Lung Cancer Screening

Currently, people who are eligible for lung cancer screening are ages 50 to 80 and are active smokers or have quit within the past 15 years. They also need to have smoked one pack per day for 20 years or two packs per day for 10 years.

 Lung cancer screening is done with a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan, where many X-rays are taken to create a detailed image of your lungs.

Few people at high risk seem to take advantage of screening. In 2022, only 16 percent of people eligible for lung cancer screening were screened.

Without screening, it’s tough to catch lung cancer at an early stage. By the time most people experience symptoms concerning enough to warrant a call to their doctor, the cancer may be advanced.

When to See a Doctor

You should visit your doctor if you fit the requirements for lung cancer screening or if you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, especially if you’re at high risk of lung cancer.

Lung cancer in never-smokers seems to be affecting a younger population. Experts are still trying to figure out exactly why that is, but other potential causes include high levels of radon in homes (which can easily go undetected), air pollution, exposure to carcinogens, and family history.

If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to pay extra attention to any of the early symptoms of lung cancer and have a discussion with your doctor.

The Takeaway

  • Although smoking is the No. 1 risk factor of lung cancer, the number of never-smokers being diagnosed is increasing.
  • Early symptoms of lung cancer include shortness of breath or a racing heart after minimal activity, a chronic cough or coughing up blood, and unintentional weight loss.
  • Lung cancer symptoms can mimic those of other conditions or illnesses, such as the common cold, so it’s important to speak with your doctor if you have lingering symptoms, even if seemingly minor.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Lung Cancer Risk Factors. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 13, 2025.
  2. Lung Cancer Risks for People Who Don’t Smoke. American Cancer Society. October 14, 2020.
  3. Screening for Lung Cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 15, 2024.
  4. Lung Cancer Key Findings. American Lung Association. November 13, 2024.
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Conor Steuer, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Conor E. Steuer, MD, is medical oncologist specializing in the care of aerodigestive cancers, mesothelioma, and thymic malignancies and an assistant professor in the department of hematology and medical oncology at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. He joined the clinical staff at Emory's Winship Cancer Institute as a practicing physician in July 2015. He currently serves as chair of the Lung and Aerodigestive Malignancies Working Group and is a member of the Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Research Program at Winship.

Dr. Steuer received his medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine in 2009. He completed his postdoctoral training as a fellow in the department of hematology and medical oncology at the Emory University School of Medicine, where he was chief fellow in his final year.

He has been active in research including in clinical trial development, database analyses, and investigation of molecular biomarkers. He is interested in investigating the molecular biology and genomics of thoracic and head and neck tumors in order to be able to further the care of these patient populations. Additionally, he has taken an interest in utilizing national databases to perform clinical outcomes research, as well as further investigate rare forms of thoracic cancers.

Steuer's work has been published in many leading journals, such as Cancer, the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, and Lung Cancer, and has been presented at multiple international conferences.

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Jessica Migala

Author

Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.

She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).

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