Press releases

October 17 2006

GOT A SYMPTOM? - Don’t leave it too late

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 doctors to get checked out if they are concerned 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.”

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 the card 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)
Rob Sykes, The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, 0161 238 9402 email rsykes@webershandwick.com

NOTES TO EDITOR

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 has over the past 15 years raised over £12m to help fight the disease that 38,000 people are diagnosed with in the UK every year. The charity is also actively campaigning to call on the government to implement serious public health measures to save the health of the nation.