10 things to know about neuroendocrine tumors
Two Unusual Lung Cancer Symptoms You May Have In Your Hands
Two subtle hand signals could be early indicators of the UK's deadliest cancer, medical experts have warned. These symptoms may point to lung cancer, recognised as the leading cause of cancer death in the nation.
Cancer Research UK figures highlight that it results in approximately 34,800 deaths annually, constituting 21% of all cancer deaths. The high death rate from lung cancer largely stems from its typically late diagnosis; often there are no symptoms during the early stages, and as a result, the cancer frequently goes undetected until it is advanced.
The NHS cautions: "Lung cancer does not usually cause noticeable symptoms until it's spread through the lungs or into other parts of the body. This means the outlook for the condition is not as good as many other types of cancer."
Therefore, early detection and recognition of warning signs are critical. According to Cancer Research UK, two particular symptoms may manifest on the hands:, reports Surrey Live.
Keep up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East with our free newsletter
Finger clubbing is one such symptom and usually affects the fingertips on both hands, developing over time. The nail base might soften with the adjacent skin appearing reddened. Additionally, the angle between the nail fold and the cuticle could enlarge, causing the nails to curve more than normal.
The nails and surrounding skin may take on a shiny appearance, with distinctive ridges running the length of the nail. Fingers may seem swollen at the ends, developing what is described as a "clubbed" look.
Cancer Research UK mentions, "finger clubbing generally takes years to develop", although it can manifest more swiftly in specific circumstances like a lung abscess. The exact origins of finger clubbing remain unclear, but it is believed that large blood cells known as megakaryocytes could become lodged in the fingertips' minute blood vessels.
One way to test for clubbing involves pressing together a fingernail from each hand—if there's a diamond-shaped space, fingers are likely healthy; an absence of such a gap could indicate clubbing.
In some cases, individuals suffering from lung cancer might notice their fingers and nails swelling, alongside joint pain and inflammation. This condition, termed hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA), typically incites bone and joint inflammation, particularly around wrists and ankles, according to Cancer Research UK: "Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy is a condition that affects some people with lung cancer."
One key indicator of HPOA is clubbed fingers, although it may also lead to general swelling in fingers and wrists.
The NHS cautions that early stages of lung cancer typically do not display any signs or symptoms, but as the disease progresses, "many people" with it start to show various symptoms including:.
If you notice any signs of lung cancer, it's crucial to consult your GP. The primary cause of lung cancer is smoking cigarettes, accounting for over 70% of cases.
Two Signs Of UK's Most Deadly Cancer That Appear In The Hands
Lung cancer accounts for 21 percent of all cancer deaths in the UK, with its warning signs often not showing until the disease is advanced. There are two potential warning signs of lung cancer that can appear in the hands (Image: Getty)
Two unusual signs that appear on your hands could signal the UK's most deadly cancer. According to experts, these lesser-known symptoms are red flags for lung cancer - the most common cause of cancer deaths across the nation.
Statistics from Cancer Research UK show that the disease is responsible for around 34,800 fatalities every year, accounting for 21 percent of all deaths from cancer. Part of the reason it is so deadly is the fact that in the early stages it often doesn't cause symptoms, meaning it might not be picked up until it is quite advanced.
The NHS explains: "Lung cancer does not usually cause noticeable symptoms until it's spread through the lungs or into other parts of the body. This means the outlook for the condition is not as good as many other types of cancer."
Therefore, looking out for any potential warning signs is vital. According to Cancer Research UK, two of these can appear in your hands.
A persistent cough is another symptom of lung cancer to be wary of (Image:
Getty) Finger clubbingThe charity lists finger clubbing as one possible sign of lung cancer. Finger clubbing usually affects the top of the fingers on both hands.
It seems to happen in stages:
"Finger clubbing generally takes years to develop", Cancer Research UK says. "But it can happen quicker in certain conditions such as a lung abscess."
It is not known exactly what causes finger clubbing. However, it is thought it could be due to large cells called megakaryocytes getting stuck in the small blood vessels in the tips of the fingers.
You can test to see if your fingers are clubbed by pressing two fingernails (one from each hand) together. In healthy fingers, a diamond-shaped gap should appear between them. If there is no gap they could be clubbed.
Smoking is the biggest cause of lung cancer in the UK, attributed to around 70 percent of cases (Image:
Getty) Swollen wrists and fingersSome people with lung cancer will experience swollen fingers and nails, and pain and swelling in their joints. This condition is called hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA).
One symptom of HPOA is clubbed fingers, however, it can also lead to swollen fingers and wrists. Cancer Research UK explains: "Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy is a condition that affects some people with lung cancer.
"It most often causes inflammation of bones and joints in the wrists and ankles. Another common symptom is clubbing of the fingers."
The NHS warns that there are "usually no signs or symptoms" in the early stages of lung cancer, but "many people" with the condition eventually develop symptoms including:
Find out about the symptoms you need to watch out for and get health advice with our free health newsletter from the Mirror
If you experience any symptoms of lung cancer you should speak to your GP. The most common cause of lung cancer is smoking cigarettes, which is responsible for more than seven out of 10 cases.
Early Cancer Diagnosis In England Reaches Highest Level
The number of patients being diagnosed with cancer at an early stage in England has risen to its highest level, according to NHS analysis.
The latest data – which focuses on 13 of the most common cancers, such as breast, prostate and lung cancer – shows nearly three in five patients are being diagnosed at stages one or two, when the cancer is easier to treat.
The NHS said the news follows a major drive over the last two years to encourage millions of people to come forward for potentially life-saving checks.
This includes those who may be at a higher risk because of hereditary or lifestyle factors.
New data shows almost 60% (58.7%) of common cancers diagnosed between September 2023 and August 2024 were identified at an early stage.
The NHS said this marked an improvement of 2.7 percentage points on pre-pandemic levels, equating to roughly 7,000 additional patients diagnosed at an early stage.
Dame Cally Palmer, national cancer director for NHS England, said: "Lives are saved when cancers are caught early – and following a major drive on early detection in recent years, it's really encouraging to see more people than ever are now being diagnosed at an earlier stage.
"There is still much more to do to save more lives and we will not let up in our efforts to catch more cancers earlier, where treatment is more likely to be successful.
"NHS teams across the country are continuing to take tests and checks closer to people who need them, and with new treatments being made available all the time, we will continue to do all we can to get people seen and treated for cancer as early as possible."
The Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) and Liver Health Programmes are among the initiatives rolled out by the NHS to help catch more cancers earlier.
A scanner in an NHS mobile truck, part of the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme (NHS England/PA)
They see hi-tech mobile scanning trucks and vans go into communities to offer in-depth checks to people at shopping centres, sports stadiums, food banks and supermarket car parks.
Data shows more than 5,000 people have been diagnosed with lung cancer earlier via the TLHC programme since it was launched in 2019.
Paul Nelson, 72, from Birkenhead, had no symptoms at all when he went for a TLHC check but a scan found lung cancer.
Recalling the moment he was diagnosed, Mr Nelson said: "That first scan gave me a chance of life. I had no symptoms whatsoever and was fit and healthy, so I was devastated when they told me it was cancer."
He added: "I've never had any problems with my chest but I was given the check and then offered the scan, so I thought, why not. I am so glad I went.
"This has now been caught early enough for treatment – if things had been left for a few more months it could have been very different.
"I have spoken with several friends and former colleagues who have put off having the check, after being offered it. I've told them that they need to go.
"Why wouldn't you have a free check-up if it can spot something early? If this can happen to me when I was so healthy, it can happen to anyone."
New analysis also shows more people than ever were tested for cancer over the last year.
More than three million people were seen for urgent cancer checks from November 2023 to October 2024, which is up by over 100,000 on the same period the year before, and up by over 700,000 on the same period five years ago – before the Covid pandemic.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England's national clinical director for cancer, said: "As we all live longer and the number of people developing cancer continues to rise, the NHS is diagnosing more cancers than ever before.
"Our work to raise awareness, help to warn those at risk and encourage people to come forward for checks is vital to make sure people can get treatment promptly. Talking about cancer helps save lives too so, if you're seeing friends and loved ones this new year, please check in with them and have a conversation.
"If anyone is worried they might have signs or symptoms of cancer, please encourage them to get checked – the NHS is here for people and wants to see them at the earliest opportunity."
In response to the figures, Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said: "While it's positive that these figures show a small improvement in the percentage of common cancers being diagnosed at stage 1 and 2, there's still much more to do to ensure as many breast cancers as possible are diagnosed at the earliest stages.
"Currently, far too many women are missing out on vital breast screening that can detect the disease at the earliest stages, when treatment is most likely to be successful.
"Furthermore, it's deeply worrying that so many people continue to endure lengthy, anxious waits to have possible breast cancer symptoms checked out, receive a diagnosis and start the vital treatment that gives them the best chance of survival.
"We know that guaranteeing breast cancer patients an early diagnosis is fundamental to saving more lives from the disease. Which is why Breast Cancer Now is calling for urgent action to improve uptake of breast screening, alongside speeding up breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
"At Breast Cancer Now, we also want every woman to know the importance of regular breast checking, and the many different signs and symptoms of breast cancer, so they feel empowered to regularly check their breasts, and get any new or unusual breast changes checked by a GP. Anyone looking for support or information, can speak to our expert nurses now by calling our free and confidential Helpline on 0808 800 6000."
Dame Laura Lee, CEO of Maggie's cancer charity, added: "Early diagnosis is absolutely critical to making sure people with cancer get treated and get well, so this is welcome news from NHS England.
"However, given more people than ever before will be living with cancer in 2025, clearly there is still some way to go.
"It is vital that as well as improving diagnosis and treatment we get much better at supporting people with cancer to live well and the Government invest in this as part of their 10-year plan for the NHS."
Comments
Post a Comment