Press releases

November 1 2006

Minister launches Lung Cancer Awareness Month

To highlight the symptoms of lung cancer health minister Rosie Winterton today launched Lung Cancer Awareness Month at the Royal Mail's South London Mail Centre, where she heard first hand the experiences of lung cancer patients and met representatives from Royal Mail, the voluntary sector and health professionals.

Rosie Winterton said:

"Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK but people don't realise that if it is caught early enough it doesn't have to be a death sentence. This is why Lung Cancer Awareness Month is so important. Working in partnership with the voluntary sector, we must ensure that people are aware of the symptoms and know to seek professional help at the earliest opportunity.

Nearly 38,000 people are diagnosed with the disease each year. Latest figures from 2002 show that 29,000 people died that year. Symptoms to look out for include:

A cough that doesn't go away after two or three weeks
Worsening of a long-standing cough or coughing up blood
Persistent chest infections, breathlessness or tiredness
Persistent weight loss and chest or shoulder pain
More spit or phlegm, especially with blood in it
Losing your voice but no sore throat, or
Swelling in your face or neck.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition of charities coordinating the awareness month, Ernie Roberts, who had lung cancer, said:

"Lung cancer is curable if it is diagnosed early enough. The message for this year's Lung Cancer Awareness Month is simple: see your doctor straight away if you have any of the symptoms of lung cancer. 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."

Dr Steve Boorman, Royal Mail's Director of Corporate and Social Responsibility, said:

"At Royal Mail, we recognise the benefits of a strong and proactive employee health service to raise awareness of health concerns such as lung cancer and offer easy-to-access advice, guidance and support as needed.
Keeping our people fit and healthy is of paramount importance to Royal Mail
- it's the right thing to do for our people and benefits our business through improved performance to customers and reduced operating costs due to ill health."

*ends*

NOTES TO EDITOR

1. Rosie Winterton was speaking at the opening of a special bus which
will tour Royal Mail sites and give information to their workforce on a range of health issues, including lung cancer. The Royal Mail and The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation will be working in partnership on a pilot lung cancer awareness campaign for their employees.
The Royal Mail was selected because of the large number of staff they employ, and their interest in supporting their workforce and improving their health.

2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LUNG CANCER

Your lungs are crucial to your health and it is important you look after
them:
The lungs take in oxygen which is essential for the body to function.
Your lungs protect your body against infection from the germs you
breathe in.

You can make a difference to your lung health:
By keeping physically active, you help keep your lungs healthy.
It is never too late to quit smoking. No matter at what age you stop,
you can make a real difference to your health.
If you don't smoke, don't start.

Common symptoms of lung cancer include:
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
More spit or phlegm, especially with blood in it
Losing your voice but no sore throat
Swelling in your face or neck.

There are many other causes of these symptoms, so just because you have some of them it does not mean you have lung cancer. However, these symptoms might mean something is wrong with your body. You should seek medical advice if you are concerned.

There are many places you can get help:
Check symptoms with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist or NHS Direct and
mention your specific concerns.
If you are concerned, request a chest x-ray from your doctor which
can identify problems with your lungs.
If you want further advice, then you can contact a charity support
line.

3. Lung Cancer Awareness Month is supported by: The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation; Macmillan Cancer Support; Cancer Research UK; Cancer Backup; British Lung Foundation; Men's Health Forum; Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain; National Electronic Library for Health; NICE; Department of Health; AS Biss.