By Theresa Case, DO
When it comes to our health, women often are quick to brush off symptoms. We blame fatigue on busy schedules, shortness of breath on being “out of shape” or a lingering cough on allergies. But what if those small signs are your lungs trying to tell you something else that can be more severe?
EVERYDAY SYMPTOMS THAT SHOULDN’T BE IGNORED
Some of the most common lung-related symptoms often get excused away:
- Lingering cough lasting more than three weeks
- Unexplained fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Shortness of breath — especially during normal daily activities
- Wheezing or chest tightness — even if mild
If you’ve been experiencing these symptoms and they just don’t resolve, it’s time to get checked. Your lungs may be signaling more than you realize.”
WHAT COULD BE BEHIND THAT COUGH?
Ignoring symptoms can delay treatment of conditions such as:
- Asthma: More than “childhood wheezing,” it often first shows up in adulthood.
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): This condition is specially common among former smokers
- Lung cancer: Women are increasingly being diagnosed, even those who never smoked
SCREENING SAVES LIVES
Starting at age 50, lung cancer screenings become a vital tool, especially if you have a history of smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Low-dose CT scans can detect lung cancer early when it is more treatable.
- Screening is quick, painless and possibly life-saving.
- Even if you feel fine, regular screenings give peace of mind
Early detection is the key. Too many women wait until their symptoms are advanced, and screenings give us the chance to act sooner.
SIMPLE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR LUNG HEALTH
- Don’t wait it out: If symptoms linger beyond a few weeks, see a doctor.
- Know your risks: Family history, smoking and environmental exposure all matter.
- Stay on schedule: At 50 and beyond, ask your doctor if lung screening is right for you
- Listen to your body: Small changes can be early warning signs.
A PERSONAL NOTE
I recall treating a 50-year-old woman who used to smoke but quit about five years ago. After turning 50, the woman’s primary care doctor recommended a lung cancer screening — which found a small spot on the patient’s lung. I was able to do a special scope procedure to test it, and it turned out to be an early-stage lung cancer.
Because we caught it so early, the patient had surgery to remove it and is now two years cancer-free with no signs of it returning. If the patient hadn’t been screened, her outcome could have been very different.
EARLY DETECTION EQAULS BETTER OUTCOMES
Your lungs are vital to every breath you take, but they don’t always shout when something is wrong. At age 50 and beyond, pay close attention to those whispers and do not skip your screenings. The earlier we catch problems, the more treatment options we have — and the better the outcomes.
Theresa Case, DO, is a pulmonologist with Memorial Health System and is board certified in critical care medicine, internal medicine, and pulmonary disease.