Simple At-Home 'Finger Test' May Help Spot Early Warning Signs Of Lung Cancer

A subtle early sign of lung cancer may be noticed by carrying out a quick “finger test” at home.

Your fingernails can sometimes reveal clues about your overall health. Changes in their color, shape, or texture may point toward underlying medical conditions.

When it comes to lung cancer, which continues to be the most common cause of cancer-related death around the world, doctors advise paying attention to a condition known as nail clubbing.

According to the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, nail clubbing affects “35 percent of people with non-small cell lung cancer and four percent of those with small cell lung cancer”.

Dr. Davood Johari explained to the New York Post that nail clubbing occurs when your “fingertips appear wider and rounder than normal, with the nails curving downwards, resembling an upside-down spoon”.

"The nail bed, the area under the nail, feels spongy and softer," he added.

Nail clubbing could be a sign of lung cancer Getty Stock Images

"The fingertip might be red or feel warmer than usual."

How to do the 'finger test'

To perform the test, press the nails of your index fingers together so they are touching face to face.

In a healthy person, you should see a small diamond-shaped gap between the nail beds when they are pressed together.

If someone has nail clubbing, that gap may not appear. This happens because the fingertips swell and the angle of the nails changes.

The condition often begins at the base of the nail and gradually progresses upward. Over time, the nail curves more noticeably when viewed from the side, and the fingertips may appear enlarged due to swelling.

Nail clubbing can show up in the early stages of lung cancer, but it can also develop later. It is not exclusive to lung cancer and may point toward other health problems as well.

"Chronic lung infections, interstitial lung diseases, cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis could be associated with digital clubbing," Dr Johari said.

"It can also signal a range of other underlying health issues, including congenital heart defects, gastrointestinal (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease and liver cirrhosis), and other conditions such as Graves' disease, infective endocarditis and more."

"Many nail changes are harmless and may be related to aging, injury and trauma or everyday activities like using nail polish."

"However, any changes in nail color, nail shape or thickness, which are persistent and last for more than a couple of weeks, should be checked by a physician."

Nail clubbing could indicate other health issues OpenAI

Paula Chadwick, chief executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, commented on how little awareness there is around some of the signs of lung cancer:

"It's quite scary how few people are able to recognise lung cancer symptoms; 20 percent of people in the UK are unable to name any lung cancer signs, let alone a more obscure one like finger clubbing."

Other symptoms of lung cancer

According to the NHS, additional symptoms of lung cancer can include the following:

• a persistent cough that gets worse and does not go away after three weeks
• common chest infections
• coughing up blood
• an ache when breathing or coughing
• persistent breathlessness
• persistent tiredness or lack of energy
• loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

If you are feeling any of these symptoms, it's always best to get them checked out Getty Stock