Two unusual signs that appear on your hands could signal the UK’s most deadly cancer. According to experts, these lesser-known symptoms are red flags for lung cancer - the most common cause of cancer deaths across the nation. Statistics from Cancer Research UK show that the disease is responsible for around 34,800 fatalities every year, accounting for 21 percent of all deaths from cancer. Part of the reason it is so deadly is the fact that in the early stages it often doesn’t cause symptoms, meaning it might not be picked up until it is quite advanced.
The NHS explains: “Lung cancer does not usually cause noticeable symptoms until it's spread through the lungs or into other parts of the body. This means the outlook for the condition is not as good as many other types of cancer.”. Therefore, looking out for any potential warning signs is vital. According to Cancer Research UK, two of these can appear in your hands.
The charity lists finger clubbing as one possible sign of lung cancer. Finger clubbing usually affects the top of the fingers on both hands. It seems to happen in stages:. “Finger clubbing generally takes years to develop”, Cancer Research UK says. “But it can happen quicker in certain conditions such as a lung abscess.”.
It is not known exactly what causes finger clubbing. However, it is thought it could be due to large cells called megakaryocytes getting stuck in the small blood vessels in the tips of the fingers. You can test to see if your fingers are clubbed by pressing two fingernails (one from each hand) together. In healthy fingers, a diamond-shaped gap should appear between them. If there is no gap they could be clubbed.
