Rockland County Cancer Institute Where to get Screened.

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The most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of lung cancer is not smoke or stop smoking if you do smoke.  You should also avoid breathing in other people’s smoke.
Although most lung cancers do not cause symptoms until they have spread, you should report any of the following problems to your health care provider right away. Often these problems are caused by something other than cancer. But if lung cancer is found, getting treatment right away could help you live longer and relieve symptoms. The most common symptoms are:

  • Coughing, especially if it does not go away or becomes intense
  • Chest pain, often made worse by deep breathing, coughing, or laughing 
  • Changes in the voice (hoarseness)
  • Harsh sounds with each breath such as wheezing
  • Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that keep coming back.  Coughing up bloody or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
  • Coughing up blood
  • Weight loss and loss of appetite 
  • Shortness of breath 
Test your home for radon. For more information, click here.

If you work in a high-risk job, be aware of the health and safety rules and follow them.