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Strange fingertip symptom could mean you have the UK's most deadly cancer

An unusual symptom in the fingertips could mean that you have one of the deadliest cancers in the UK. Finger clubbing means there are certain changes in the shape of your fingers and fingernails. It is also called digital clubbing or Hippocratic fingers. People with conditions such as heart or lung problems sometimes have these changes. Based on figures from Cancer Research UK, lung cancer accounts for roughly 34,800 deaths annually. This represents 21 per cent of all cancer-related deaths. What contributes to lung cancer's lethal nature is the fact that it rarely presents noticeable symptoms during its initial phases. Consequently, diagnosis may not be made until the illness has advanced significantly. The NHS states: "Lung cancer does not usually cause noticeable symptoms until it's spread through the lungs or into other parts of the body. This means the outlook for the condition is not as good as many other types of cancer." Hence, identifying any possible indicators of the condition at the earliest opportunity is crucial. One such indicator might appear at the fingertips. Cancer Research UK cautions that finger clubbing can be a symptom of lung cancer. This typically impacts the fingertips on both hands, progressing gradually over time. Recommended reading: People 'blown away' as giant sharks seen leaping out the water off UK coastlines Police to be handed stronger powers to stop disruptive E-scooters on streets New popular Paddy McGuinness show axed after just one series, per reports What is finger clubbing? Finger clubbing usually affects the top of the fingers on both hands. And can also affect toes. It seems to happen in stages: there is softening of the base of the nail (nail bed) and redness (erythema) of the skin around the nail the angle between the nail bed and the nail fold (the skin just below the cuticle) increases, which causes the nail to curve more than usual the nail and the skin around the nail look shiny, and the nail has ridges along the length of it the ends of the fingers look larger, giving the 'clubbed' appearance Finger clubbing generally takes years to develop. But it can happen quicker in certain conditions, such as a lung abscess.