Lung Cancer Complications - Awareness and Prevention of Blood Clots (DVT)

Lung cancer creates enough heartache to begin with, but it breaks my heart when complications – especially those that can be prevented or treated if detected early – lead to further illness and possibly death. As we place our focus on curing cancer, it is possible to overlook one problem that can be equally deadly. Blood clots.

Blood clots (also known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT) affect between 3 and 15% of individuals living with lung cancer. Causes include inactivity, treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy, traveling for treatment, or the cancer itself.

I have always been unhappy when colleagues refer to precious living people as “cases” and quote numbers, so – what can you do to avoid being a statistic?

1. Learn what you can do to prevent blood clots (DVT) – for example, exercising your legs when at rest, when traveling, and wearing compression stockings when recommended after surgery

2. Know the symptoms of blood clots (DVT) – for example, cramping, swelling, or redness in one leg

3. Read more about blood clot awareness and prevention:

What You Should Know About Blood Clots During Lung Cancer Treatment

Of course, this information shouldn’t be reserved for those with lung cancer alone. When TV journalist David Bloom passed away from complications of a blood clot while reporting from Iraq, we learned that nobody is immune to this silent killer. Spread the word.