{"id":336962,"date":"2025-12-08T13:19:23","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T13:19:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/336962\/"},"modified":"2025-12-08T13:19:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T13:19:23","slug":"noida-delhi-oncologist-warns-persistent-cough-is-not-normal-shares-early-signs-of-lung-cancer-you-should-not-ignore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/336962\/","title":{"rendered":"Noida, Delhi oncologist warns ‘persistent cough is not normal’; shares early signs of lung cancer you should not ignore"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A cough that continues for weeks despite rest, routine medication, and familiar home remedies is often the body\u2019s way of indicating that something deeper may be happening inside the lungs. A persistent cough is rarely just a leftover infection<\/a> or a seasonal reaction, and when it lingers without a clear reason, it becomes a clinical sign that deserves attention.<\/p>\n

\"Lung Lung cancer symptoms often overlap with common ailments, leading to delays in diagnosis.(Freepik) <\/p>\n

In many early-stage lung cancer<\/a> cases, this cough appears long before any noticeable pain or breathlessness, which is why people tend to brush it aside. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Manish Sahni, surgical oncologist and robotic surgeon, Kailash Hospital, Noida and Delhi, shares why a persistent cough is never \u201cnormal\u201d and lists the early signs of lung cancer to watch for. (Also read: Fitness coach shares 3 simple tips to lose 1 kg per week before New Year 2026: ‘Exact mini-cut I use for quick results’ <\/a>)<\/p>\n

What lung-cancer coughs look like<\/p>\n

Sharing key symptoms, Dr Sahni says, \u201cA cough linked to lung cancer behaves differently from one that follows a cold or a viral illness<\/a>. It often carries on for more than three weeks, does not respond to usual symptomatic treatment, and may slowly become deeper or more forceful as the tumour irritates the airway lining. Some individuals notice blood tinges in the mucus or a change in their voice. These shifts occur because an early tumour can alter the airflow pathways or create subtle pressure inside the lungs, triggering irritation that results in a steady cough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pollution is changing who gets diagnosed<\/p>\n

According to Dr Sahni, smoking still remains a major contributor, but it\u2019s no longer the only one. \u201cThere is also a visible change in the profile of patients being diagnosed today. Smoking<\/a> remains a major risk factor, yet a growing number of cases are now being detected in individuals with no history of tobacco use. Long-term exposure to polluted air is emerging as an important contributor.<\/p>\n

\"Many Many significant factors contribute to lung cancer risks that are frequently overlooked((Shutterstock)) <\/p>\n

He adds, \u201cFine particulate matter and toxic gases can travel deep into the lung tissue, causing persistent inflammation that, over time, may alter the genetic behaviour of lung cells. This helps explain why people living in severely polluted cities are reporting symptoms earlier, even without traditional risk factors.\u201d<\/p>\n

The subtle signals most people overlook<\/p>\n

He also highlights that lung cancer symptoms are often mistaken for everyday fatigue or minor infections: \u201cThe early phase of lung cancer often blends into everyday life. Unexplained tiredness, a sense of heaviness in the chest, mild breathlessness during routine tasks, frequent throat irritation or a sudden drop in appetite are frequently mistaken for minor health fluctuations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTuberculosis is a major public health challenge in India, and its symptoms mimic early signs of lung cancer, making it one of the important factors for delayed diagnosis<\/a>. Some individuals also experience recurrent chest infections because tumour-related obstruction can prevent air from moving freely in the affected area,\u201d says Sahni.<\/p>\n

Ending with a reminder, Dr Sahni emphasises, \u201cLung cancer tends to progress quietly, which is why delays in seeking care remain common. Any cough that persists beyond a few weeks, particularly in high-pollution environments or in people with a family predisposition, should be evaluated. With timely diagnosis supported by advanced imaging and precise treatment options, outcomes can improve considerably. Recognising the earliest signs and responding without delay can make a meaningful difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A cough that continues for weeks despite rest, routine medication, and familiar home remedies is often the body\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":336963,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[144760,97,144761,169934,155239,169932,169933],"class_list":["post-336962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-health","tag-early-signs-of-lung-cancer","tag-health","tag-lung-cancer-symptoms","tag-oncologist","tag-persistent-cough","tag-pollution-and-lung-health","tag-tuberculosis-symptoms"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/336962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=336962"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/336962\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/336963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=336962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=336962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=336962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}