CANCER Australia has released a new guide that could help diagnose lung cancer at an earlier stage.
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The guide aims to help health professionals correctly identify and investigate early symptoms of the disease.
Investigating symptoms of lung cancer: a guide for all health professionals also encourages early and prompt referral to specialists.
Cancer Australia chief executive Dorothy Keefe said respiratory symptoms could be caused by many diseases including COVID-19, colds or the flu.
She said while they were often a symptom of other illnesses, it was important to remember they could also be a sign of lung cancer.
"Diagnosing lung cancer can be difficult as the symptoms are often vague and non-specific and similar to other illnesses," Professor Keefe said.
Symptoms can include coughing up blood, a new or changed cough that doesn't go away, chest pain, shortness of breath, hoarseness, a persistent or recurrent chest infection, weight loss and tiredness.
"Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in Australia, and more than 50 per cent of lung cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage when treatment is difficult," she said.
Professor Keefe said GPs played a crucial role in identifying lung cancer and encouraged anyone who thought they might have symptoms to see one without delay.
It is estimated that more than 9000 Australians will lose their lives to lung cancer in 2020.
The guide provides a step-by-step pathway of actions for health professionals to follow when investigating a patient who may have lung cancer.
Cancer Australia is currently conducting an inquiry into a national lung cancer screening program.
For more information about lung cancer, click here.
