Lung cancer query

[ToBedToBed]

Hi. This is probably totally irrational but I feel like my dad is going to be told he's got lung cancer. He was a heavy smoker for over 50 years although he gave up a couple of years ago after a heart attack. He's been unwell for a few days, seems like a virus but he sounded a bit breathless and looks really old he's in his 60s. He also seemed confused at times although that could be due to his loss of appetite. He's always got a cough but he's been putting that down to medication and just general winter cough. He's having a chest x Ray soon but I've just got a horrible feeling they're going to say he's got cancer.
So my question is can Lung cancer symptoms ever appear all of a sudden in the form of a virus? I know I'm thinking ahead of myself and I'm sure it's just a bad virus but I just have this nagging feeling something is not right. Can anyone help or offer advice? Thank you

[HaveIGotAClue]

Hi tobedtobed.

Not sure if this helps, but I'm a smoker and have to go back to my GP next week for a thing called 'spirometry reversibility' test.

Haven't googled it, but nurse explained that because I'm asthmatic and a smoker and produce a lot of gunk, it may be an indication of some damage.

Maybe you could ask about this test? (Haven't had it yet, so know nothing about it whatsover!)

[SquidgeyMidgey]

That's good news

[ToBedToBed]

Thank you. No cancer diagnosis : ) in hospital on oxygen but looking much better :)

[cedricsneer]

My dad had a cough/dramatic weight loss/intermittent fever from October until January. He has never been a heavy smoker, but even the GP was intimating it could be bad.

He had a chest X-ray and is fine - he has finally shaken off the virus (which since this happened I have anecdotally heard that lots of people have had) and is looking so much better. I totally get the suddenly looking really old and frail thing - it was very alarming. I hope your dad gets similar results (my dad is also in late 60s)

[ToBedToBed]

Thank you. I guess the Xray will give an indication. Like you say I'm sure it's just a nasty virus / chest infection that he can't fight off as easy as he used to.
I think it was the fact he just looks so old all of a sudden that is quite shocking.

[SquidgeyMidgey]

My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer about 11 years ago and he was told the recurrent chest infection he'd had were an early sign. However, and it's a huge however, loads of otherwise healthy people get chest infections, loads of smokers (and ex-smokers) cough, and loads of smokers get worse than average chest infections. The big sign with my dad was that he inexplicably lost a shed load of weight. Your dad's getting on in years, he smoked for ages, he's got a weakened heart, it's probably a chest infection that's knocking him for 6

[ToBedToBed]

Thank you. I'll have a look on their website.

[PollyPerky]

I think the answer is 'no' but Cancer Research UK will have lots of info.

The only person I knew who had lung cancer has it as secondary cancer after breast cancer and she had a cough for some time before they discovered it.