Supporting Earlier Lung Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care
Lung cancer doesn’t always present with textbook symptoms. People without smoking history - including those who are young, active or otherwise well - can still develop lung cancer, and are often diagnosed late.
If you see persistent or unexplained symptoms, even in lower-risk patients, please consider referring them for a chest X-ray under the Faster Diagnosis Standard.
Explore common symptoms below - and why they matter.
-
Especially if lasting more than three weeks. A common first symptom, often dismissed unless it's worsening or changing in character.
-
Repeat courses of antibiotics or infections that fail to fully resolve should raise suspicion, particularly in one lung or lobe.
-
Can be referred pain due to tumour growth or pleural involvement. Especially important when not explained by injury or musculoskeletal strain.
-
Can indicate superior vena cava obstruction - an oncological emergency. Rapid referral is essential.
Key signs of lung cancer that may warrant a chest X-ray
-
May suggest involvement of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Persistent hoarseness, particularly with other symptoms, requires further assessment.
-
A non-specific but early symptom. Persistent fatigue with no clear cause should prompt a broader differential.
-
Not always caused by asthma, long COVID, or anxiety. If it’s new, persistent, or unexplained - especially in someone who doesn’t fit the typical lung cancer profile - consider a chest X-ray.
-
May reflect metabolic changes or late-stage disease. Even minor weight changes, if unexplained, should not be ignored.
See Through the Symptoms is part of the All You Need Is Lungs campaign - a collaboration between ALK Positive UK, EGFR Positive UK, and the Ruth Strauss Foundation to improve early diagnosis of lung cancer in people who don’t fit the usual profile. Find out more about us.
When certain symptoms are persistent, it could be a sign of lung cancer.
Chances are it’s nothing serious but early diagnosis can improve chances of survival.
Questions for professionals
General Practitioners
Do you ever consider lung cancer as a possible diagnosis and refer patients for chest x-ray when presented with persistent or unexplained symptoms, even if the patient has never smoked or is young?
Physiotherapists
Do you ever encourage clients with unexplained or persistent back and/or shoulder pain to visit their GP for lung cancer screening?
Pharmacists
Do you ever encourage clients who present with persistent symptoms and regularly purchase over the counter remedies to speak to their GP about it?
Organisations that can support your patients
EGFR Positive UK
Specialist lung cancer charity focused on supporting and improving the overall survival and quality of life of EGFR positive patients across the UK.
ALK Positive UK
Lung cancer charity specialising in providing support, advocacy, and a better quality of life for all ALK positive lung cancer patients across the United Kingdom.
Ruth Strauss Foundation
Supporting families who are facing the death of a parent to cancer and driving the need for more research into non-smoking lung cancers.
Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
UK lung cancer charity dedicated to supporting everyone affected by the disease, from diagnosis to end of life care.
Cancer Research UK
The world's leading independent cancer charity, committed to saving lives through research, influence and information.
Macmillan Cancer Support
One of the UK’s largest charities providing physical, emotional and financial support to those living with cancer.
Resources for Primary Care Professionals
The See Through the Symptoms campaign was developed by three UK charities - ALK+ UK, EGFR+ UK and the Ruth Strauss Foundation in collaboration with BTOG, and is supported by the following organisations:
