Lung cancer - small cell: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services for severe difficulty breathing, coughing up more than a small streak of blood, a seizure, collapse, or chest pain with fainting or severe weakness.

   Follow any emergency instructions and contact numbers supplied by your cancer team.

   During chemotherapy, their advice may use a specific temperature threshold.

   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
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   If you have already been diagnosed, contact your cancer team promptly about new or worsening symptoms, including increasing pain, difficulty swallowing, new headaches, balance changes, confusion, weakness, or treatment side effects.

   Seek urgent same-day medical help for:

   • Any new coughing up of blood
   • New swelling of the face, neck, or arms
   • Sudden weakness, confusion, or a severe new headache
   • Fever or signs of infection during chemotherapy
   • Rapidly worsening breathlessness
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange a routine medical appointment for a persistent or changing cough, unexplained breathlessness, repeated chest infections, chest pain, weight loss, or worsening tiredness.

   These symptoms do not necessarily mean cancer, but they should be assessed.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Lung cancer - small cell. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.