Charities call on pharmacies and GPs surgeries to help promote lung cancer awareness campaign, UK
Lung cancer claims the lives of 92 people a day and it is the second most common cancer after breast cancer. The two charities are working together for the fourth year running during Global Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November.
More than one fifth of all cancer deaths are from lung cancer, because it is often detected too late. That is why Macmillan and the Foundation are seeking help from pubs and bars to raise awareness that early diagnosis saves lives and to make people aware of the signs and symptoms.
The charities are asking them to display eye-catching blue posters and leaflets featuring cartoon character Andy Capp which explain what signs and symptoms people should look out for, what checks to expect the doctor to do, and where further information is available. The leaflets also feature a handy pop-out wallet-sized card with details of the help available from both charities and their helpline numbers.
The main symptoms of lung cancer are:
-- chest infections that won't go away, even with antibiotics
-- a cough for more than three weeks
-- coughing up blood
-- feeling more tired than usual
-- feeling very out of breath
-- losing your voice but no sore throat
-- chest pains
-- losing weight, but not sure why
If any of the above symptoms are experienced for more than three weeks, people should be encouraged to visit their GP, particularly if they smoke or used to smoke.
Dr Jesme Baird, Director of Patient Care at The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation says, 'Lung cancer can be a very devastating disease. The information on these beermats and posters tells people what to look out for and encourages them to seek medical help early, ensuring they have the very best chance of survival.'
Lung cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer because 90 per cent of cases are caused by exposure to tobacco smoke. Around 12million adults smoke cigarettes and a further two million adults smoke pipes and/or cigars in Britain.
Peter Cardy, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Relief, said, 'Lung cancer is the UK's biggest cancer killer. We want to reach out to those most at risk, which is why we are asking publicans to help us hit home the message to their customers that early diagnosis saves lives. We want to encourage the public to get checked out if they show any symptoms.'
People wanting more information on lung cancer should call the Macmillan CancerLine on 0808 808 2020 or email:
cancerline@macmillan.org.uk or ring The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation on 0800 358 7200. GPs surgeries and pharmacies can order the Andy Capp posters and leaflets free of charge by calling 0870 707 0084.
For further information, please contact:
Julia Anderson - Macmillan Cancer Relief Press Office
Direct line 020 7840 7803 (out of office 07801 307068)
janderson@macmillan.org.uk
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation:
Kimberley Williams
Weber Shandwick
Tel: 0161 238 9422
kcwilliams@webershandwick.com
Agatha Chapman
Weber Shandwick
Tel: 0161 238 9406
abchapman@webershandwick.com
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is the only charity in the world wholly dedicated to defeating lung cancer - the biggest cancer killer in the UK. The charity's approach benefits current and future lung cancer sufferers alike:
The foundation funds research programmes to detect lung cancer at a very early stage, which will save lives and is vital to the development of a future therapy. The foundation offers patient support, advocacy and an information network providing information, guidance and support relevant to the needs of lung cancer patients and their families.
The foundation facilitates support groups across the UK that assist sufferers to come to terms with the disease and provide patient advocacy services.
The foundation operates 'Quit Smoking' services for adults (Fag Ends) and its KATS (Kids Against Tobacco Smoke) educational programme which encourages young people never to start smoking.
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation runs fundraising events and charity shops, both of which help to generate much needed voluntary donations (public and corporate), on which it relies to continue its fight to defeat lung cancer.
Statistics courtesy of Cancer Research UK.
Macmillan Cancer Relief
Caritate apel la farmacii ºi GPS intervenþiile chirurgicale pentru a ajuta la promovarea cancer pulmonar campanie de sensibilizare, Marea Britanie - Charities call on pharmacies and GPs surgeries to help promote lung cancer awareness campaign, UK - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate