Are lung cancers common in young adults? like 18- 24?

just wondering because i have this chest pain for awhile already maybe like 3 weeks that comes and goes and it's pretty scattered to all of over the chest not all at once but just certain areas nothing too painful though, i just know its there. i been having to spit some mucus out for a week. no blood or anything just your normal colors yellow or white and somewhat of an itchy throat. i have a nasal congestion that switches sides thats been with me for 2 weeks now i can still suck in air out of the congested one just not as much as the other. i dont smoke often, maybe just like 4 cigs in one month then ill stop for like a couple of months. my last one was 2 weeks ago. now i feel like im going to quit for good. i had my moments of shortness of breath but that was a couple of weeks ago. i feel like i can breathe better than when i had shortness of breath going on. so yeah i was wondering if you can give me some answers. im 18 years old.

Primary lung cancers are not common in this age group, but secondary lung cancers are very common. In other words it is possible to have a primary cancer located somewhere else that has metastasized to the lung.

Secondary Lung Cancer
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertyp...

Primary lung cancers do occur in this age group but it is very rare.

Small-cell lung cancer with lymphadenopathy in an 18-year-old female nonsmoker
http://www.nature.com/ncponc/journal/v3/...

Primary Lung Cancer in an 18-year-old Boy: Case Report
http://jjco.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/conte...

You should go to a doctor as no one here can adequately tell you what the problem is just from your description. It could asthma or any other number of diseases or conditions. A doctor will rule all those options out first before suspecting cancer.

Best to you.

Well, lung cancers are very rare in young adults. The pain your feeling could be a few things. You could just have the beginnings of a chest infection which can last for ages. Or something else. The best thing is to go to your doctor. My heart was pulpitating and i thought the worst till i got it checked out and it turned out to be nothing. Dont worry too much till you know for sure

First off I really doubt that you have a serious ailment you are way too young, But there is nothing like the intervention from a medical professional!! I understand this is a big step but you raised concern here. It could range from allergies (This is the season) In any case people here are not doctors. If funds are holding you back there are clinics that specialize in this the waiting times may be long but so be it. Only physical examination will tell and hopefully it will be a simple fix. Please don't let fear of the unknown hold you back.

Because of your age it is very unlikely to be lung cancer as it is rare below 40. To see the graph of lung cancer incidence by age, log to my blog http://nrmedical.blogspot.com.
I suggest go and see your doctor and get rid of the worry.

It not unheard of for children to get cancer from time to time.
And if your smoking you are increasing your chances.
and if some one has weak lungs to begin with like having asthma etc... then the chances is greater. So stop damaging your lung with smoking.

But I think you have a virus or chest infection

your doctor can better exam you and give you the best advices.

I have a friend who's 24 who has cancer due to smoking since the age of 8. It's not specifically lung cancer but it's in and around most of his abdominal organs. So it does happen.

Sounds to me like you have bronchitis. Maybe allergies or asthma.

But you should stop smoking regardless of what your current lung ailment is. There's nothing good about it. If you want information on smoking cessation programs in your area, call 1-800-227-2345 (the American Cancer Society's toll-free 24/7 hotline). Depending on your level of insurance, a lot of the cessation counseling as well as nicotine replacement methods (if you choose to go that route) can be provided for free or at a reduced rate.