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Is A Heavy Smoker Having Shortness Of Breath Lately Likely To Develop Lung Cancer?
Question: I'm a 27 year old female who has smoked for 13 years. lately I have been having shortness of breath. how likely is this to be lung cancer? I don't want to keep having x rays due to thinking i have lung cancer everytime I have a cough or shortness of breath. my last one was in October of last year
Brief Answer:
Do a spirometry test.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
First, I strongly recommend you to stop smoking.
Then according to history, I don't think you should do a chest X-ray but a spirometry test with bronchodilators. It shows if your airways are narrow or not. If yes this mostly is caused by smoking.
According to the result, your doctor will prescribe you inhalers like Budesonide twice per day.
Regarding lung cancer, I don't think this is your case because it is more frequent over 40 years.
Please discuss with your doctor for the above.
I hope to have been helpful.
Regards,
Dr. Jnikolla, Pulmonologist
Do a spirometry test.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
First, I strongly recommend you to stop smoking.
Then according to history, I don't think you should do a chest X-ray but a spirometry test with bronchodilators. It shows if your airways are narrow or not. If yes this mostly is caused by smoking.
According to the result, your doctor will prescribe you inhalers like Budesonide twice per day.
Regarding lung cancer, I don't think this is your case because it is more frequent over 40 years.
Please discuss with your doctor for the above.
I hope to have been helpful.
Regards,
Dr. Jnikolla, Pulmonologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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