Lung Cancer Misdiagnosed as Asthma

In an article by the Press Association, a 17 year old girl was misdiagnosed with asthma after having difficulty breathing and a persistent cough. When symptoms did not disappear, her father sent her for a lung scan. The lung scan showed a large cancerous tumor in her left lung that occupied the majority of her lung cavity. After rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and removal of her lung, Miss Hicks is now cancer free. A CT Scan of her chest found the tumor and ultimately saved her life. Early detection of lung cancer is vital for treatment. Although this type of misdiagnosis is rare, patients should be aware of their own bodies and take every precaution to safeguard their personal health.