Lost a friend/in-law family member to cancer yesterday. He only lasted 2 months once diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He was 54 years old. A smoker all his life.

He was feeling fine until the last few months when he was suffering from persistence cough and tiredness. Family doctor initially thought it was allergies and only treated the symptoms. It's scary as when do you really know to go check for something like this? Does routine yearly general blood work reveal major issues?

My condolences. I'm going through a similar situation with a co-worker/friend/brother. He just found out he has 1 to 1.5 years with treatment. 39 years old. Smoker.

I had a friend that died of it a couple of years ago. He lived just over a year after discovering it on a routine blood test.
A low sodium reading is apparently a symptom because the tumor produces an enzyme that lowers your sodium level. They confirmed it with an x-ray followed by a biopsy.
I don't think he had any other symptoms and the five year survival rate is something like 5%.
Smoking seems to be the usual cause although other environmental causes can do it too or just bad luck. Smoking is the big one and completely preventable.

My condolences.
Seems to be a recurring theme lately.

quote:

Does routine yearly general blood work reveal major issues?

Yes, but not all issues. It can be an early warning sign of problems such diabetes, elevated cholesterol, anemia etc.

Sorry for your loss.

PC