Lung cancer awareness month - November 2007

Lung cancer is known as the “invisible” or “forgotten” disease but lung cancer is a stark reality for more than 37,000 new patients in the UK every year – that’s one every 15 minutes.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world with 1,200,000 new cases every year. Even more shocking, the average time from diagnosis to death is just six months.

Early Diagnosis saves lives

But there is hope – the earlier the diagnosis and the start of treatment, the better chance there is of a positive result. That’s why Global Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November is so important.

Pioneered in the UK by The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, Global Lung Cancer Awareness Month is now in its sixth year. Its aims are:

• to inform and educate the public, and in particular, those at risk, about the importance of early detection and diagnosis
• to raise the awareness of GP's and pharmacists about the possible diagnosis of lung cancer when considering the symptoms

For the first time this year we have secured the support of the National Pharmacy Association that has 13,500 member pharmacies around the UK, The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, and Lloydspharmacy to promote the campaign. This is a particularly important development since so many people go to their local pharmacist with some of the early signs and symptoms.

What are the early signs and symptoms?

The early signs and symptoms 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

These symptoms may not be serious, in which case, there is nothing to lose by getting them checked out. If they are serious, there is everything to gain - diagnosis at an early stage could save your life.

Non-smokers can get lung cancer too, but smoking is still the major cause. 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.

How can you help?

We hope you will join with us in helping to raise the awareness of the public about the early signs and symptoms of lung cancer. Together with Macmillan Cancer Support, we have produced some awareness materials – an A4 poster; an A2 poster; and an A5 leaflet - that can be downloaded in pdf format.

In addition, we have similarly branded lapel stickers and balloons.

Materials can be ordered from the end of September. If you need any further awareness materials please contact the Foundation on 0871 220 5424 or email Cath Steele.

Fundraising

You may wish to support us during Lung Cancer Awareness Month by sending a donation or fundraising. Our fundraising suggestion is the Big Book Bonanza which is a bring-and-buy book exchange with a difference!

Partnership

This year we have been working with more partners to ensure that the campaign gains more attention and we can exert a greater influence on those who can make a real difference. In addition to Macmillan Cancer Support, our partners include: the Department of Health, National Pharmacy Association, Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, Cancer Research UK, Cancerbackup, British Lung Foundation and the Men’s Health Forum.