Hemoptysis

[Guest]

I am 23 years old and worried that I may have lung cancer I have smoked canabis for the last 5 years (3-4 joints a day) but quit this Thanksgiving because I began coughing and was spitting blackish phlegm. Since then my cough has disappeared although I still spit phlegm regularly(it is now clear or yellowish, especially after eating).

I was hoping this was going to decrease with time, but this morning there were some slight traces of blood in the spit. I do not have bronchitis, nor TD, so I am worried that it could be cancer.

If this were the case wouldn't the blood be apparent during the period I was smoking instead of 2 months down the line? Is it normal to have the phlegm production persist for a long period after stopping smoking? Is it possible to have lung/throat cancer at such an early age?

[Guest]

Many people who stop smoking will notice worse cough a phlegm after smoking and some of the damage done to the lungs is irreversible. The blood in the phlegm can be for many different reasons. It is important to tell your physician if it worsens to more than a teaspoon amount.

Unfortunately lung cancer knows no age limits. It is possible to get it at your age.
[quote] I am 23 years old and worried that I may have lung cancer I have smoked canabis for the last 5 years (3-4 joints a day) but quit this Thanksgiving because I began coughing and was spitting blackish phlegm... [/quote]