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Is it possible that I have lung cancer?

Hello. First of all, please excuse me if this entire question is just an overreaction but I am freaking out.

I am 19 years old, never smoked, never vaped, have rarely even been around smokers, and am in average shape. For the past 4 days I have been having shortness of breath and mild chest pain that comes and goes.

But it’s weird in the sense that it doesn’t get worse with exertion or anything like that. It just feels like I am struggling to take and full breath and only occasionally do. Also when taking deep breaths I occasionally feel some popping in my chest.

I know with all of this COVID going around it could be that but I do not have a fever or cough. I have also been losing a good amount of weight recently, which I have been trying to do but the rate in which I have seems too fast.

And because of google I am HORRIFIED that it could be something serious like lung cancer or als. Of course I know I could just be being a hypochondriac about it and it could just be nothing but I’m still really scared. Any advice helps. Thanks.

  1. Hi Thanks for reaching out. It makes sense to feel scared when experiencing any new symptoms!

    We cannot offer medical advice online, for your own safety, but have you discussed your concerns with your doctor? They would be most equipped to answer your questions about the symptoms you've been experiencing and be able to offer next steps and their thoughts, as well as make you an appointment to see them if you have not yet. That would be a good place to start.

    Do please keep us posted, we'll be thinking of you.

    Best,
    Margot, (LungCancer.net Team)

    1. Hi , I suggest you ask your internist/primary care provider to refer you to a pulmonologist to rule anything out and ease your mind. Please feel free to follow up with us and let us know how you are doing. Warmly, Alisa, (LungCancer.net Team)

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