A grandmother of three is crediting her so-called “ugly fingernails” and her daughter’s quick thinking for prompting a visit to the doctor that ultimately saved her life. Although the diagnosis was alarming, catching her cancer early drastically improved her chances of recovery, and the reason for this timely intervention is quite surprising.
Sarah Johnson, 53, from Liverpool, England, has had curved fingernails for as long as she can remember. Recently, she posted a picture of her nails on social media, only to receive a comment suggesting she consult a medical professional. Intrigued, she began to research “clubbed nails,” prompting her daughter to insist on a doctor’s visit.
“Two weeks ago I shared this picture on my wall, asking if anyone else had nails like this,” Sarah wrote in her post. “A few Google searches later, and I was encouraged to see a doctor.”
After undergoing a blood test and chest X-ray, Sarah was quickly scheduled for a CT scan, PET scan, MRI, and lung biopsy, which ultimately revealed cancer in both of her lungs. “The doctor sat us down and said, ‘It’s not good news. You have lung cancer.’ Hearing it confirmed was a different experience than suspecting it,” Sarah recounted.
Initially, she believed her fingernail shape was simply a family trait, as her mother had similar nails. However, with the diagnosis, everything clicked into place—her mother had lost half her lung to lung cancer years prior. She was unaware that the curvature of her nails, known as “nail clubbing,” could be a sign of serious health issues, including heart and lung diseases.
According to the Mayo Clinic, nail clubbing occurs when the tips of the fingers enlarge, causing the nails to curve over time. “Nail clubbing can indicate low oxygen levels in the blood and is often associated with various lung diseases, as well as conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular problems,” they explain. While many are familiar with symptoms like persistent cough or breathlessness as potential indicators of lung cancer, nail clubbing tends to be less discussed.
Sarah, now diagnosed with stage one lung cancer, is sharing her story in hopes of raising awareness and encouraging others to pay attention to their health. If you’re interested in learning more about health and wellness, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination at News Medical.
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Summary
A grandmother’s experience with curved fingernails led to an early lung cancer diagnosis, highlighting how seemingly minor physical traits can indicate serious health issues. Awareness of nail clubbing as a possible warning sign could help others catch health problems sooner.