Lung Cancer Symptoms for Non-Smokers

If your elderly loved one stopped smoking decades ago or has never smoked, you might not put lung cancer at the top of your list of diseases to worry about regarding your elderly loved one. And while the risk is decreased for those who have never smoked or are currently non-smokers, lung cancer can develop in anyone at any time, so knowing the symptoms, and not ignoring them simply because your loved one never smoked, can help you catch the disease early on and increase the possibilities of your loved one receiving the necessary treatment he’ll need in time. A senior home care provider can be a great option when your loved one needs a bit of assistance around the home.

Lung Cancer Risk Factors for Non-Smokers

Senior Home Care Hawthorne, NJ – Lung Cancer Symptoms for Non-Smokers

Most people understand that smoking increases a person’s risk for lung cancer tremendously. Some factors that can increase the risk of lung cancer in non-smokers can include having a genetic mutation in a tumor that becomes cancerous, being exposed to radon gas (one of the leading causes of lung cancer in non-smoking individuals), having worked in an environment that exposed them to cancer-causing agents such as asbestos or diesel exhaust, being routinely exposed to second-hand smoke, and living in an area high in air pollution. When someone is exposed to several of these risk factors, they can greatly increase the likelihood of lung cancer.

Lung Cancer Symptoms for Non-Smokers

While the symptoms of lung cancer are often similar for everyone, the biggest stumbling block for non-smokers is that they usually won’t think it’s lung cancer until the symptoms have persisted for a long time and continue to get worse. Many smokers will immediately have their doctor check on them once the symptoms appear, but non-smokers may assume it’s just a cold or the flu and live with the symptoms longer than they should.

Here are symptoms that you can help your loved one watch for:

• Chest pain and pressure.
• A hoarse voice that doesn’t improve or seem linked to anything.
• A persistent cough that seems to continually get worse. It might even result in coughing up blood.
• Trouble breathing, especially after exertion. Their breath may make wheezing sounds as they struggle to breathe.
• A loss of appetite and weight loss without trying to lose weight.
• Feeling fatigued most of the time, and possibly turning down activities they used to do because they are too tired.
• Trouble swallowing.
• Swelling around the face and neck.
• Recurring lung infections, bronchitis, or pneumonia.

Taking Care of Your Loved One during Cancer Treatment

Your loved one’s doctor will determine the best course of action for their treatment. The treatment can be long and hard, making extra care needed while going through treatment. Sometimes the elderly family member will stay with a family member or have someone stay with them. But other times, this isn’t an option, and finding resources of people who can support your elderly loved one during treatment is an important part of their recovery. Senior home care providers can help them manage keeping the home clean, making meals, and even transportation. And as a family member, you can rest a bit easier knowing they can focus on getting better while a senior home care provider takes care of most everything else.

If you or a senior family member is considering hiring Senior Home Care Services in Hawthorne, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Caring Solutions Home Care LLC.

Providing in-home senior care, servicing Bergen & Passaic Counties. Call today at (973) 427-3553.