Early detection saves lives for lung cancer patients
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and nurse specialists at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital are urging people to be more aware of the symptoms, because early detection saves lives.
Ronald McKee, a 79-year-old former RAF fitness and parachute instructor from Sutton, near Stalham, says he would never have been checked out if he had not spotted a poster about breathlessness in his local surgery.
“I was seeing the doctor about my arthritis and I would never have mentioned the breathlessness if I hadn’t seen the poster,” he recalled. “I just thought it was a symptom of getting older.”
Ronald was referred to the walk-in chest clinic at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for an X-ray and a tumour was detected. After further tests, he underwent a course of chemotherapy and he is now keen to warn others not to ignore symptoms, however slight they may seem.
You should see your doctor straight away if you have any of the following:
• 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
Visit your GP or local pharmacy now or call the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Helpline free on 0800 358 7200; or Macmillan CancerLine on 0808 808 2020
“We want to raise awareness among the general public, including GPs and pharmacists, about the possible diagnosis of lung cancer when considering symptoms,” said NNUH lung cancer specialist nurse Chris Fowkes.
“The symptoms may not be serious but you have 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.
“It is also important to recognise that non-smokers can get lung cancer too – one in six people with lung cancer have never smoked. (see lung cancer myths, below)
“While 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.
• There will be a display in the East Atrium to raise awareness about lung cancer from 10th to 14th November and the Big C centre will also have their own display.
• The next meeting of our lung cancer support group takes place on Saturday 8th November from 10am to 12.00 at the NNUH. For more information about the group contact the lung cancer nurse specialists Chris Fowkes and Di Seth-Smith on 01603 289688
There will be a display in the East Atrium at NNUH to raise awareness about lung cancer from 10th to 14th November and the Big C centre will also have their own display.
The next meeting of our lung cancer support group takes place on Saturday 8th November from 10am to 12.00 at the NNUH. For more information about the group contact the lung cancer nurse specialists Chris Fowkes and Di Seth-Smith on 01603 289688.
Photo opportunity
There will be a display in the East Atrium at NNUH to raise awareness about lung cancer from 10th to 14th November and the Big C centre will also have their own display.
The next meeting of our lung cancer support group takes place on Saturday 8th November from 10am to 12.00 at the NNUH. For more information about the group contact the lung cancer nurse specialists Chris Fowkes and Di Seth-Smith on 01603 289688