effectiveness of x-rays in screening lung cancer

[represent]

Hello, I have been very concerned for over two years now with a worsening breathlessness.  I am thirty-three and grew up in a household where cigarette smoke was the air.  I lived like this till I was fifteen.  I have no industrial exposures I know of. and have always suffered sinus problems.  I have told my doctor that I am lung cancer could be missed on two films?  What is the chance that they were missed and now the cancer has grown sinificantly over the years since I was last screened?? My GP and two other doctors have insited that it can't be so and have perscribed anxiety medication and refused me a CT or other more costly test under mt HMO-now I'm unemployed.  In the two years since I raised my concern I have has two chest x-rays (both clear)a pulmonary function test(normal)and a sleep apnea study- because this breathing difficulty also occured at night(mild, insignificant apnea was discovered).  I feel as though my nose is always plugged and there is always a veil of flem (phlegm) at the back of my throat- which causes choking and anxiety at times.  I have also felt diffculty climbing stairs and breathless when talking.  I have gained 60 pounds over the past two years. Should I more off the suspicion of cancer or persist?

[National Jewish]

A clear chest x-ray is not a guarantee, but strongly suggests that you do not have lung cancer.  Another simple screen for lung cancer is sputum cytology.  Your plugged nose and the mucous in the back of your throat suggest an upper airway cause of your symptoms.  That and the weight gain could account for your shortness of breath.

[represent]

Hello, I have been very concerned for over two years now with a worsening breathlessness. I am thirty-three and grew up in a household where cigarette smoke was the air. I lived like this till I was fifteen. I have no industrial exposures that I know of and have always suffered sinus problems. I have told my doctor that I am concerned about lung cancer. In the two years since I raised my concern I have had two chest x-rays (both clear) a pulmonary function test (normal) and a sleep apnea study- because this breathing difficulty also occured at night(mild, insignificant apnea was discovered). Could lung cancer be missed on two films- I realize cancer is not diagnosed this way? What is the chance that they were missed and now the cancer has grown sinificantly over the year since I was last screened?? My GP and two other doctors have insited that it can't be so and have perscribed anxiety medication and refused me a CT or other more costly test under mt HMO-now I'm unemployed.  I feel as though my nose is always plugged and there is always a veil of flem (phlegm) at the back of my throat- which causes choking and anxiety at times. I have also felt diffculty climbing stairs and breathless when talking. I have gained 60 pounds over the past two years. Should I move off the suspicion of cancer or persist?

[starion]

Gaining 60 pounds in two years CAN cause more trouble breathing because your body has to work harder--think of it--you're requiring your body to cary an extra 60 pound backpack every day all the time.
You also might want to ask about a lung function test, which may reveal lung problems which could affect breathing.  GERD or gastric reflux can also cause lung problems, and are also increased with extra weight.  You can find out more about GERD by visiting www.NationalJewish.org and looking it up in their MedFacts pages under Gastric Reflux.
Hope these suggestions are helpful to you and that you will see if these can help provide you with easier breathing.  Best of luck!
Starion