Macmillan Cancer Relief: Got a sympton? Don't leave it too late
Thursday, 19, Oct 2006 12:00
Got a symptom? Don't leave it too long to get checked out is the message from two leading cancer charities on the eve of Lung Cancer Awareness month, this November.
Macmillan Cancer Support and The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation are urging people not to delay in visiting their GP to get checked out if they are concerned or have any symptoms of lung cancer because it could, quite literally, mean the difference between life and death.
Every day 103 people are diagnosed with lung cancer and another 91 people die of the disease. Lung cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer, yet for 80 per cent of people with lung cancer their disease is inoperable because it has been diagnosed so late. If people were diagnosed at a much earlier stage, it would be possible for many more of them to have an operation that could potentially cure their cancer.
The main symptoms of lung cancer are:
o chest infections that won't go away, even with antibiotics
o a cough for more than three weeks
o coughing up blood
o feeling more tired than usual
o feeling very out of breath
o losing your voice but no sore throat
o chest pains
o losing weight, but not sure why
People are encouraged to visit their GP if any of the above symptoms are experienced, particularly if they smoke or used to smoke.
Professor Jessica Corner, Director for Improving Cancer Services, Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "Lung cancer is the UK's biggest cancer killer, but early diagnosis does save lives. It's vital that people take any symptoms seriously and get checked out without delay to ensure the very best chance of survival."
Dr Jesme Fox, Medical Director at The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said: "Don't think that if you don't smoke you aren't at risk because 10 per cent of lung cancer cases aren't related to smoking. Pick up one of our leaflets and keep it somewhere handy to remind you what to look out for."
This is the fifth year of Macmillan and The Foundation's awareness raising partnership during Global Lung Cancer Awareness Month. The charities'eye-catching posters and leaflets, highlighting the signs and symptoms of lung cancer and the importance of early diagnosis, are being distributed UK-wide through doctors' surgeries, pharmacies, hospitals, smoking cessation services, and libraries - all places those most at risk of lung cancer are likely to visit.
Anyone wanting more information on lung cancer should call the Macmillan CancerLine on 0808 808 2020 or The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
Helpline on 0800 358 7200.
Ends
For further information, please contact:
· Julia Anderson, Macmillan Cancer Support, 020 7840 7803 (out of hours
07801 307068) email janderson@macmilan.org.uk
· Rob Sykes, The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, 0161 238 9402 email
rsykes@webershandwick.com
Notes to Editors:
About Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. One in three of us will get cancer. 1.2 million of us are living with it. If you are affected by cancer Macmillan can help.
About The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation works towards defeating lung cancer through research, campaigning and education. The charity provides emotional and practical support for all those affected by lung cancer and smoking; it enables children and young people to make informed decisions about smoking and the tobacco industry. The charity campaigns for more resources for research into the early detection of lung cancer and the support for lung cancer patients.
Macmillan Cancer Support and The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation are both members of the UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC), a coalition of leading lung cancer experts, healthcare companies and charities with an interest in the disease who have joined together to fight lung cancer.
http://www.uklcc.org.uk/
Statistics courtesy of Cancer Research UK.
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Julia Anderson | Media & PR officer | Macmillan Cancer Support
89 Albert Embankment | London SE1 7UQ | Tel: 020 7840 7803 | Out of hours
07801 307068 | Fax: 020 7840 7841
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support.
We've just launched Macmillan YouthLine which offers cancer information and support to 12 to 21 year-olds who are affected by cancer, whether they are the patient or someone else is. It's free, confidential and won't show up on the phone bill. Call 0808 808 0800, 9am-10pm, Mon-Fri. Lines maybe busy but please keep trying you will get through.