This simple fingernail test could help save you from lung cancer

Human lungs with tuberculosis illustration.

Doctors advise a simple fingernail test that may help detect lung cancer early.

To perform the test, press your index fingers together and look for a small, diamond-shaped gap of light between them.

If this “diamond gap” is missing, it could indicate finger clubbing—a condition where the fingertips swell, causing the nails to curve.

Finger clubbing can be an early sign of lung cancer, appearing in around 35 per cent of people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 4 per cent of those with small cell lung cancer.

While finger clubbing is not always cancer-related, it is advisable to consult a doctor if you notice changes in your nails. Early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

And this test has saved lives in the past. One patient (name withheld) said that he was able to save his life when he recognised the clubbing of his finger. With no other symptoms, his swollen fingers prompted his General Practitioner to refer him for a chest X-ray. The diagnosis was early-stage lung cancer, confined to his lung.

Thanks to prompt surgical treatment, he avoided further complications and has since emphasised the importance of seeking medical advice early.

However , While placing your index fingers together to check for a “diamond-shaped gap” can be a quick way to assess for potential finger clubbing, which can be a sign of lung cancer, it’s not a either 100 per cent surety or a certainty diagnostic test for lung cancer itself and should not be used as a substitute for medical evaluation. Fingernail test is, therefore, only a presumption of a huge degree of uncertainty and accuracy. This solely because of the following possible reasons:

Keep Reading

When fingertips enlarge and the nails curve; definitely that is an underlying indicator of possible conditions such as heart disease, digestive disorder or lung cancer. Therefore further investigations by qualified doctor is essential to ascertain the cause of finger clubbing.

It is important to note that the absence of this diamond gap doesn’t automatically mean you have lung cancer, but it can be a reason to seek medical advice from your doctor. Therefore, it is crucial to watch out on the following other lung cancer symptoms: Persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing up blood.

Faced with the above symptoms, it is critical to seek medical attention to discuss with your doctor who will offer professional help.The doctor will examine you and recommend for medical Evaluation/ proper diagnosis and recommend proper treatment for you.

Generally your doctor will recommend for a series of tests that involves lung cancer screening. The most effective way to detect lung cancer early is through a low-dose CT scan, which is recommended for people at higher risk (typically smokers or former smokers).

Prof Fadhili Jilo is a Fellow and a Professor of Neural Stem Cell, UK