Background mom diagnosed stage 3 adenocarcinoma. She smoked 50 years ago.
Me: non smoker.
Symptoms: within the last two years one pneumonia 6 bouts of bronchitis (5 all in last year) and now again horrible. In addition I have had a chronicle pain in my shoulder blade every day for about the last 6 moBeths. This was my moms symptom too shoulder pain. Also winded and tired.
I just had a chest xray ...doc wanted to rule out pnuemonia..he definitely thought I had it again. The xray came back " heart size normal...lungs clear"
I went to pulmonologist he heard the wheeze that I was hearing and he dismissed my concerns. Said my lungs are clear.
I don't want to be a statistic or a hypochondriac. Since X-rays don't show early growths, would a ct scan be appropriate ? Or should I feel comforted by the xray?
Thank you
Paule
Reply # - March 26, 2015, 11:52 AM
paulerr,
paulerr,
I'm sorry you're having such difficult issues but we can't tell you what you should do. However it's good to know that a CT has a much much higher resolution than an x ray. With ongoing unresolved respiratory problems it's not too much to ask for a CT. I too have unresolved problems with cough and whizzing have had a pretty thorough work up including a CT.
A genetic predisposition for lung cancer is quite rare even in those with lung cancer and no smoking history. I hope yours isn't related either.
All best,
Janine
Reply # - March 26, 2015, 06:24 PM
Thank you Janine. I would
Thank you Janine. I would not want anyone to advise. I'm trying to learn if X-rays clear means no cancer.
Make sense?
Reply # - April 1, 2015, 06:25 PM
From what I have read from
From what I have read from posts from others on different sites many had xrays and no lung cancer/mass showed up. They were told that their lungs were clear. I had an xray and it showed the mass. As Janine stated its not too much to ask for a CT if you feel something isn't right.
Janine, I find it interesting that a genetic predisposition for lung cancer is quite rare. Why is that when many cancers seem to have a genetic predisposition?
Willy
Reply # - April 1, 2015, 07:12 PM
Willy,
Willy,
I'm not sure that kind of "why" question can be answered. As you know, cancer is not one disease but rather a description of what happens when cells of a particular type (lung, breast, colon, etc.) mutate such that they grow and divide uncontrollably. Although all cancers are similar in that they each share mutated cells, the cause of each type can be very different, and each type of cancer may have different causes. For lung cancer, smoking is by tar the most common cause, followed by exposure to other toxic substances such as radon. Other cancers are linked to diet, genes or exposure to radiation.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - April 1, 2015, 08:26 PM
Jim,
Jim,
Thank you for answering my question.
Unfortunately I believe that we are going to (and do) see more lung cancer in people who have never smoked, were not around second hand smoke, or quit many years ago. Although I smoked for years I am a hairstylist and have been around some very toxic chemicals for 30 years. The beauty industry is still not addressing the toxicity in salons. I live in an area where apple orchards are abundant. Cancer is running rampant around this area. I know of members of the same family battling cancer. I'm just glad that with lung cancer some promising drugs and treatments have come out to slow down the progression.
Willy