A woman has taken to social media to caution others about the early symptoms she noticed before being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
At the age of 34, Linda Chavez received a diagnosis of Metastatic Bronchial Carcinoma, a type of lung cancer. By the time she was diagnosed, the cancer had unfortunately spread to her brain and bones.
Linda chronicles her journey with cancer on TikTok under the handle @younglungcancerisathing, with the aim of raising awareness about lung cancer in individuals under 50.
In one of her videos, Linda outlines the signs and symptoms she experienced prior to receiving her diagnosis.
https://www.tiktok.com/@username/video/7428656888922852639
Linda mentions that she had a mild cough for years, which later became more painful and ‘piercing.’
“Eventually it was deeper [in my chest], it felt very painful, it felt piercing in my chest,” she noted.
“However, definitely, please do not ignore persistent cough.”
A persistent cough, or one that worsens over time, is the most frequent symptom of lung cancer.
Linda shared that she woke up every morning with a headache for over nine months, often taking Tylenol to cope with the discomfort.
While headaches are not a typical symptom of lung cancer, in Linda’s situation, the cancer had spread to her brain.
The Mayo Clinic advises seeing a doctor for a headache if:
Linda also suffered from various aches and pains before her diagnosis, which she describes as ‘throbbing pain.’
“Number three symptom was pain in my bones and my body,” she said. “[It was] kind of like when you stub your toe, that initial throbbing, pulsating pain.”
Fatigue, a common cancer symptom, was another sign Linda experienced.
“Number four, I was definitely exhausted beyond belief and out of breath. I literally had to take shallow breaths due to the pain that I was feeling every time I was inhaling or exhaling,” she recalled.
According to Cancer Research UK, cancer-related fatigue might include:
“Lastly, number five, was nausea,” Linda said. “I was definitely very, very nauseous towards [the time I was] getting diagnosed. It was due to the brain […] cancer.”
Nausea and vomiting can indicate brain cancer, as the cancerous growth can create space constraints and increase pressure within the skull.
If any of these issues resonate and you wish to speak confidentially with someone, you can reach out to the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or through their live chat service, available 24/7 every day of the year.