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Warning-sign checks

Stage 4 lung cancer: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help for:

    • Severe or rapidly worsening difficulty breathing
    • Coughing up more than small streaks of blood
    • New one-sided weakness, facial drooping, confusion, or trouble speaking
    • A first seizure or a seizure lasting longer than instructed
    • Sudden severe chest pain, collapse, or loss of consciousness
    • New leg weakness, numbness around the groin, or loss of bladder control
    • Fever with shaking, confusion, or severe illness during cancer treatment

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact your cancer team promptly about a new or worsening symptom, including increasing cough, pain, breathlessness, fever, poor fluid intake, repeated vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, unusual tiredness, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    If you are receiving treatment, use the contact instructions provided by your team rather than waiting for the next routine appointment.

    Routine follow-up is the right place to discuss stable symptoms, scan results, treatment choices, side effects that are already controlled, and support with daily activities.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Stage 4 lung cancer. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.