Lung cancer symptoms or health anxiety

[Beebop1314]

I was just reaching out to see if anyone had experienced anything similar.

I'm a 43 year old non smoker. Two months ago I started with a sharp pain in my back, radiating to my chest. I visited a&e who did bloods, ecg and said I was in good health and nothing to worry about.

Three weeks ago I had a virus with a slight cough. The cough seemed to ease, but the past week, it seems to have returned.

I had an appointment with the doctor a couple of days ago who listened to my chest and looked at my medical history, and again said he didn't have any concerns and didn't think an xray was necessary.

I still can't get the worry of lung cancer out of my head and having sleepless nights, I just don't feel right. Since the doctors appointment I have experienced lower back pain, an ache in my shoulder and feeling a little nausea.

Do I push for a second opinion or is my anxiety and Dr Google self diagnosis taking over? Is the anxiety causing these symptoms or can lung cancer develop quickly?

You are getting to the age where you will feel daily aches and pains. Do you exercise?
And anxiety will make you feel nauseous.

Cancer in young non smokers is on the rise. If you feel a chest X-ray would settle your anxieties I would pay privately for one (if you can afford it)
The pp is right though, it could be relating to your age, it could just be virus illness and you are more aware of the ache and pains.

@pecanpie101 ,

I am really not sure mild viral symptoms in a 43 year old non smoker would warrant a chest X ray. Even a private doctor would probably be reluctant to do one.

However, OP, if you don’t feel right, no harm in getting some basic bloods done.

Fixating in lung cancer in your position definitely does point at anxiety though. Probability-wise, it is many many times more likely that not feeling right is linked to a combination of some kind of infection and anxiety.

The virus going about at the moment does include a long-lasting cough that comes and goes for several weeks.

It would be a good idea to go back to the doctor mentioning the other symptoms you are having but I don't think you should be too anxious about the cough at this stage.