Lung cancer awareness events a great success
| Lung cancer awareness events a great success |
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| Friday, 25 January 2013 13:50 |
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Issued by Mount Vernon Cancer Network Despite the very cold weather, more than 500 people came to two public awareness events last Wednesday (16th January) and Thursday (17th January) to help people recognise the early symptoms of lung cancer and how to keep lungs healthy. The two events held at Dunstable Leisure Centre and The University of Bedfordshire Luton Campus were supported by The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. Visitors to the events saw a giant pair of MEGA lungs® demonstrating how lungs work as well as being able to talk to medical staff and volunteers who have survived lung cancer. Staff from our smoking cessation team were also present, signing up more than 30 people onto their stop smoking programme. The Lung Cancer Awareness campaign focuses on a simple message – that an unexplained cough which lasts for 3 weeks or more, needs checking out by a GP. Dr Phil Sawyer, a local GP who is championing the campaign appears on the event posters. He said: “It is important to get possible symptoms checked out because cancer caught early is easier to treat or cure”. “If you’re aged 50 or above and have a cough that lasts longer than usual – more than 3 weeks, or you’re coughing up small amounts of blood, then please make an appointment to see your GP. “Coughs can be caused by lots of different things and people who just have a lingering cold shouldn’t be worried. But an unexplained 3-week cough can be an early sign of lung cancer. Your GP may send you for a simple chest x-ray at the hospital which will help to identify any problems you may have with your lungs. It will probably turn out not to be serious, but if it is cancer, finding and treating it early will make a real difference. Barbara Gill is Director of the Mount Vernon Cancer Network, which brings together all the people and organisations involved in cancer care across Hertfordshire, Luton and South Bedfordshire. She said: “Early detection is the best way of improving survival rates for most types of cancer. At the moment not enough people are aware of the symptoms of lung cancer which means that the disease is often diagnosed at a late stage when the cancer is more advanced and much more difficult to treat.” “This campaign is doing a valuable job in raising awareness of the key symptoms and pointing people in the direction of their GP if they do have any of these signs.” You can find out more about lung cancer symptoms by visiting www.3weekcough.org/ ENDS Notes to editors
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