Expert: Michael Dean - 1/8/2008

Question
Hi Doctor- I am a 41 year old female who smoked for 19 years (about a pack a day). I quit 8 years ago.  About 3 months ago I began to have a tickle in my throat and the need to clear my throat along with some pain at my shoulder blade in the right upper part of my back. The symptoms have remained the same with the exception of the pain in my back getting worse. It seems worse with movement. I had a chest xray in the summer before these symptoms began, that was negative, I also had a bone scan in October that was also clean.  Does this sound like it could be lung cancer?  I am a little worried

Answer
Dear Colleen.

Since you have had the chest Xray and the bone scan recently I very much doubt that you have lung cancer. Most cancers do not have pain as a symptom.

Did the pain in the back come with any injury or strain?

If it continues, of you continue to be worried, I would have a doctor check out your throat.

But you did the best thing by quitting.

Good luck,

Michael Dean, Ph.D.
Author "Empty Cribs-The Impact of Smoking on Child Health"
http//www.artsciencepub.com