My father was admitted to the hospital in December of 2012 for what we were told was dehydration. All other tests came back fine. He had been really hoarse and was losing his voice. Over the next few weeks, he began losing weight and still had no voice. In March of 2013 he was readmitted to the hospital and was told he had pneumonia. Two days later, he was diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread to the bone in his right hip. He died six days later. My friend's father also was diagnosed with lung cancer on the same day. Her dad lasted one month longer and passed away in April. Both of them had the same primary symptom, which was hoarseness.

My dad was just diagnosed with lung cancer. They found a mass on his right lung and now he has to go for a biopsy. Right now, it's a waiting game to find out what stage of cancer he has and what their next step will be. I'm his oldest daughter and I'm reading all the information I can find and trying to find out more. I hope they caught it early enough.

My mom had a cough for a month or so. She has a lot of health problems, is at risk for pneumonia and heart failure - so I bugged her to call the doctor. Initial diagnosis was pneumonia as she had a low grade fever and there was a small shadow on her lung. She felt better after antibiotics (she had gotten tired), but still coughing - so I bugged her to follow doctor's instructions to call back. Doctor saw her right away and sent her for a respiratory workup for COPD (mom had smoked maybe half a pack day for about 10 years - she quit over 30 years ago!). They called and told her she had cancer. Oncologist saw her a few days later (on Memorial day - he came in on his day off to meet with us all). Took about three weeks from first call to diagnosis.

I was having reoccurring bronchitis 3 winters in a row, then I had a bout of pneumonia in June. This triggered me to keep going back to see my doctor. Since I was a nonsmoker and 38 at the time, I kept getting antibiotics and sent home. Although, I never felt well in July. I kept coughing and was extremely exhausted. I was diagnosed in 1997 with stage II bronchioaveolar adenoid carcinoma. My upper right lobe and 1/3 of my lower lobe was removed and followed by 5 1/2 weeks of radiation. That was 15 1/2 years ago. I am a healthy 54 today!

A pain when I coughed.