Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, with around 47,000 people diagnosed each year. It develops when cells in the lungs grow uncontrollably, forming tumours that can affect breathing and spread to other parts of the body.
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Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. It affects the two sponge-like organs (lungs) in your chest that drive your respiratory system. When cells in the lungs grow uncontrollably, they form tumours that can affect breathing and spread to other parts of your body.
There are 2 main types of lung cancer:
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) – the most common type, making up about 85% of cases
small cell lung cancer (SCLC) – a faster-growing type, often linked to smoking
Other rarer forms include carcinoid tumours, adenoid cystic carcinomas, lymphomas, and sarcomas. Sometimes cancer from another part of the body spreads to the lungs – this is known as secondary lung cancer.
Lung cancer often doesn’t have any symptoms, which makes it difficult to spot in its early stages. As it progresses, symptoms may vary depending on the size and location of the tumour. Symptoms can also overlap with other lung conditions, so it’s important to seek a diagnosis as soon as you notice anything unusual.
The main symptoms to look out for are:
loss of appetite or unintentional weight loss
unexplained fatigue and weakness
a persistent cough (more than 3 weeks)
persistent breathlessness or shortness of breath
headaches
coughing up blood
aches or pains in your chest when breathing or coughing
persistent chest infections that don’t respond to medications
Other symptoms of lung cancer include:
difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
hoarseness or other voice changes
finger clubbing (swelling of the fingertips)
swelling in your face and neck
persistent pain in your chest and/or shoulder
pain and swelling in your joints
bone pain
If you experience any of these symptoms, particularly if you smoke or have smoked in the past, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
More than 8 out of 10 lung cancer cases are caused by smoking, making it the leading risk factor for developing the disease. Exposure to secondhand smoke can also cause lung cancer.
Other risk factors for lung cancer include:
exposure to chemicals including asbestos, diesel engine exhaust fumes, silica, arsenic and radon gas
high levels of air pollution
a family history of lung cancer in a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child)
having had treatment for cancer in the past, particularly radiotherapy to your chest
having a history of lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
having a lowered immune system due to a condition such as HIV or AIDS, or if you’re taking immunosuppressant drugs
getting older – lung cancer is more common in older age, with 44% of people diagnosed being 75 and over
If you’re worried about any of the symptoms mentioned above, especially if you are, or have been, a smoker, make an appointment to get checked out as soon as you can.
It’s important to try to discover and diagnose lung cancer early to have the best chance of being able to treat it successfully. Even if the diagnosis comes late, there are often still treatment options available, and there’s an increasing number of newer therapies that can significantly improve outcomes.
The first step is to meet your respiratory consultant. At this initial consultation, they’ll talk to you about your medical history and any symptoms. At Welbeck, our lung cancer screening programme involves a triage to make sure you’re an appropriate candidate for screening.
Screening may include:
a breathing test (spirometry)
a CT scan of your chest
taking a biopsy (a small sample of tissue)
a PET-CT scan to check if cancer has spread
a bronchoscopy or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), to examine the airways and take samples
A biopsy not only confirms whether lung cancer is present, but also identifies the specific type and how advanced it is. This information helps your consultant create a treatment plan that’s tailored to you, so you can receive the most effective care possible.
At Welbeck, we offer fast access to scans and tests during a single visit, using advanced imaging and gentle, minimally invasive biopsy techniques. This streamlined approach enables us to identify cancer quickly and rapidly refer you for treatment.
The primary cause of lung cancer is smoking, so the most effective way to reduce your risk is to stop smoking if you do so.
You can also help lower your risk of developing lung cancer by:
avoiding second-hand smoke
following workplace safety guidelines if exposed to dust, fumes or chemicals
exercising regularly to keep your lungs strong
reducing exposure to air pollution when possible
keeping up to date with lung health check-ups, especially if you have COPD or a family history of lung cancer
Lung cancer can cause a range of complications, especially if it spreads or is diagnosed at a later stage.
These may include:
breathing difficulties due to blocked airways or fluid around the lungs
chest pain from tumour growth
infections such as pneumonia
fatigue and weight loss due to cancer-related inflammation
spread to other organs, such as the brain, bones or liver
blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) due to changes in blood flow
depression or anxiety linked to long-term illness
Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help reduce these complications and significantly improve your prognosis and quality of life.
The best treatment for you will depend on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as your general health.
While we do not currently offer lung cancer treatment at Welbeck, your diagnosing consultant will ensure that you’re referred to the correct teams so that the next steps can be started as quickly as possible.
Treatment options for lung cancer include:
surgery to remove the tumour
radiotherapy to destroy cancer cells
chemotherapy – using drugs to kill or control cancer cells
targeted therapy – for cancers with specific genetic changes
immunotherapy to boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer
palliative care to control symptoms and improve comfort in advanced stages
At Welbeck, our lung cancer specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
Get in touch today to book an appointment.
Yes. Although smoking is the main cause of lung cancer, around 1 in 10 cases occur in people who have never smoked.
A lung cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but outcomes vary widely from person to person. Advances in early detection, targeted treatments, immunotherapy, and minimally invasive surgery mean that many people are now living longer and with a better quality of life than ever before after a lung cancer diagnosis.
The outlook depends on several factors, including the type of lung cancer, how early it’s found, and overall health. Survival from treated stage 1 lung cancer, such as we often diagnose during our screening, can be up to 98% at 5 years. At Welbeck, we focus on getting a clear diagnosis quickly, and creating a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs. Our team will guide and support you every step of the way.
After treatment, regular follow-up appointments are essential to monitor your recovery and check for any signs that the cancer may have returned. These visits will usually include physical examinations, scans such as CT or PET scans, and sometimes blood tests or lung function tests. Your specialist team will tailor the follow-up schedule to your individual situation, gradually spacing out appointments over time. At Welbeck, we focus on early detection of any changes so that, if needed, further treatment can begin promptly, helping you stay well in the long term.
Lung cancer can sometimes spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body. How likely this is depends on the type of lung cancer, how early it’s diagnosed, and how well it responds to treatment. Early detection and modern treatments can greatly reduce the risk of spread and help control the disease more effectively. At Welbeck, our focus is on identifying cancer as early as possible and providing personalised treatment and ongoing monitoring to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
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