Woman shares unusual 'finger clubbing' symptom of lung cancer on social media

Jean Williams Taylor posted an image of her fingernails on social media enquiring if anybody had seen anything similar before, and it turns out her curved fingernails were a sign of lung cancer.

After sharing the picture, Jean was urged to go to the doctors and after several tests, it was revealed she had cancer in both of her lungs.

Finger clubbing is the term given to Jean’s symptom and while it may be less common, it is a symptom of lung cancer. The NHS describes finger clubbing as "changes in the appearance of your fingers, such as becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger."

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Jean shared her post on Facebook in the hope she could help others. She stated in the caption with the image, "2 weeks ago I posted this pic on my wall asking if anyone had seen nails like this. A few google posts later and I was urged to go to the Doctor. A tad extreme I thought...."

She continued to say, "I was rushed for blood tests and a chest xray, 2 days later I got a phone call to go for a CT scan, 2 days later a PET scan and more blood test, the day later a breathing test on my lungs and a scan on my heart, the day later an MRI scan then a lung biopsy. After a gruelling 2 weeks, yesterday I got my results.......Cancer in both my lungs !!!!"

She went on to say that she had no idea that her curved nail could be related to cancer. She said, "When your nails curve it's often linked to heart and lung disease and its official term is "clubbing" I had no idea....Did You ????"

She ended the post by stating that she hopes sharing this image can help other people get checked out. She said, "Hope this post can help someone else in the early stages of cancer. Big shout out to the NHS you have been excellent and I thank all the staff that have dealt with my diagnosis."

Those who read Jean’s post were grateful and shared their messages of support. One person wrote, "Wow. I am so sorry to hear that hun and I hope you get better and make a full recovery very soon! Thank you for sharing x’"

Another Facebook user commented, "Thank you, didn’t know this x I wish you all the best with treatment and to be feeling better soon xx"

Although finger clubbing is one symptom of lung cancer, there are many more. The main symptoms of lung cancer include:

• A cough that doesn’t go away after two or three weeks

• A long-standing cough that gets worse

• Persistent chest infections

• Coughing up blood

• An ache or pain when breathing or coughing

• Persistent breathlessness

• Persistent tiredness or lack of energy

• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

There are other less common symptoms of lung cancer, these include:

• A high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above

• Difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing

• Wheezing

• A hoarse voice

• Swelling of your face or neck

• Persistent chest or shoulder pain

The NHS recommends you should see your GP if you notice any of these symptoms..