Lung Cancer Awareness Month - 1 to 30 November 2007

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and lung cancer is the UK’s biggest cancer killer in both men and women.  Every 15 minutes a new patient is diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK – that's more than 100 people a day and around 37,000 people a year.

“As a nurse who comes into daily contact with people who have lung cancer, it is important that people in Surrey are aware of the symptoms of Lung Cancer and what to look out for,” says Consultant Lung Cancer Nurse Lesley Spencer.  

Lesley, who works for Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust continues: “Early detection saves lives.  Eighty (80) per cent of people with lung cancer die within a year of being diagnosed so it is vital that local people are familiar with the problem and know when to be concerned. 

In women, Lung cancer is the second most common cancer after breast cancer, but the number of women with lung cancer is increasing and more women will now die from lung cancer than breast cancer.”

The symptoms to look out for are:

·          A cough that doesn’t go away after two to three weeks

·          Worsening of a long-standing cough

·          Persistent chest infections

·          Coughing blood

·          Unexplained persistent breathlessness

·          Unexplained persistent tiredness or lack of energy

·          Unexplained persistent weight loss

·          Persistent chest and / or shoulder pain

“If you recognise any of the above symptoms in yourself then you are urged to see your doctor straight away,” says Lesley.   “Alternatively call the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Helpline free on 0800 358 7200; or Macmillan CancerLine on 0808 808 2020 or NHS Direct on 0845-46-47.   These symptoms may not be serious, in which case, you’ve got nothing to lose by getting them checked out.  If they are serious, you’ve got everything to gain - diagnosis at an early stage could save your life.”   

Consultant Nurse Lesley Spencer continued: “It is also important to recognise that non-smokers can get lung cancer too - one in eight people with lung cancer have never smoked.  Whilst smoking is still the major cause of lung cancer, the good news is that quitting works. It’s never too late to give up, and the sooner you stop the better.  Even if you have been smoking for most of your life, your chances of developing lung cancer will be much less if you give up now, whatever your age.”

Each year the Lung Cancer Awareness campaign is jointly organised in the UK by The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and Macmillan Cancer Support who lead a consortium of other charities with the Department of Health. For the first time, the initiative has the support of the National Pharmacy Association with 13,500 member pharmacies around the UK, The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and Lloyds pharmacy to promote the campaign. This is particularly important because many people go to their local pharmacist with some of the early signs and symptoms of lung cancer.