Lung Cancer

Did you know?

  • Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting both women and men in Western Australia.
  • In 2019, 693 Western Australian men and 564 Western Australian women were diagnosed with lung cancer.

Common symptoms of lung cancer include:

  • Coughing or spitting up blood (once or more)

Or, for more than four weeks:

  • A new cough or change to your usual cough
  • A lot of chest infections
  • Finding it hard to breathe
  • Losing weight without trying
  • Not feeling hungry
  • Pain in your chest and/or shoulder
  • Feeling tired or lacking energy
  • Changes to your voice, such as hoarseness or croaky voice

If you have coughed up blood, even if it was just once, it’s important to tell your doctor, clinic nurse or Aboriginal health worker straight away.

If you have had any of the other symptoms for more than four weeks, tell your doctor, clinic nurse or health worker. It doesn’t mean you’ve got lung cancer – often these symptoms turn out to be something less serious. But it’s important to tell your health professional and get checked out to be safe.

If it is lung cancer, the earlier it’s found, the earlier it can be treated.

For further information on symptoms related to other types of cancers, please click here.