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26 year old male, chest x-ray shows 'slightly emphysematous lungs'

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longseason
longseason

Hi i'm pretty shocked and confused right now, I had a 2nd chest x-ray in as many months as I have been worried about lung cancer but my x-ray results showed 'slightly emphasematous lungs'. what does this mean exactly? does this mean i have clinical emphysema? i'm kind of even more worried about lung cancer now as i have a loss of appetite and i just think if i've managed to get emphysema at this age then why not lung cancer? as i x-ray isn't that good for that. but i will be having a ct scan soon now which will tell us for sure

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • degb
    degb longseason

    Posted

    Hello there, lung cancer and Emphysemia are two completely separate problems.

    The key word is slightly, if you look up the meaning of slightly you may find that it is only mild, meaning it is a warning to stop amokimg, if you smoke, eat well, lots of excerise and you will be able to keep on top of it. The ct scan will give you a good overall picture of the extent of lung affected.   You are in a good position to stay ahead. Very best wishes to you. It is great that you have early warning, take care

    oke

    • longseason
      longseason degb

      Posted

      Still, it's deemed serious enough to be referred to a specialist over, would you say this is usual? My mum says that if you have x-ray every smoker lots of them would show signs of mild emphysema, but i don't know how true that it is.

    • degb
      degb longseason

      Posted

      Hi  long season, I agree your mum is probably right, it is all about catching it early and changing your lifestyle accordingly, any Emphysemia is not a good thing to have, but there are four stages and I think you are in the early stage, it is hopeful as it gives you a chance being so young to live a much healthier life and keep the Emphysemia at this level.i have stage 3 and am on oxygen so I don't want to alarm you, getting it early will give your doctors something to work with,at the later stages it is just maintains a quality of l ifs. Good on your doctors for catching it at the early stage, yes it can get very serious, take care d

  • Vee2
    Vee2 longseason

    Posted

    Good information from degb.

    longseason to add to what degb has said, you will also try to avoid whenever you can people with lung infections and the flu virus, you need to try and protect your lungs as much as you can from any kind of smoke or other pollutants.  

    Be as active as you can but not so in polluted areas, (don't walk, cycle any distance near busy roads if you don't have to, or wear some sort of protection if you do, Buff nose and mouth cover or mask if riding in traffic etc.

    The other important thing to get checked because of your young age (but I am sure the specialist will check you for this) is the alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency.  Do ask the specialist if its not mentioned.

    Check with BLF helpline and check out their website for further information about alph1, emphysema and much more.  link from this page:  

    https://www.blf.org.uk/

     

    • Vee2
      Vee2

      Posted

      Good luck with the CT scan and ask the specialist to explain this to you, get a copy for your own records of any tests you undergo so you can compare and check out things yourself.

      there is a great uk site for check blood results, its called something along the lines of Lab tests on-line for understanding test results.

      Best wishes V

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