Lung Cancer Awareness Month Posted or Updated on 2 Feb 2023

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month!

Lung cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the UK and this month we are using our resources to help spread awareness.

Below we have put together some information to be mindful of.

FIVE FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LUNGS

1. Breaths per day – An average person takes up to 20,000 resting breaths per day!
2. The tubes – The lungs have a network of 600 million interconnected tubes.
3. Improving lung capacity – Improving lung capacity can be achieved by exercise.
4. Breaths by an average person – On average, a person breathes 13 pints of air every 60 seconds.
5. Importance of coughs – Coughing and sneezing keep you lungs clear of substances you unknowingly inhale.

RECOGNISE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LUNG CANCER

• A persistent cough.
• Coughing up phlegm (sputum) with blood in it.
• Breathlessness – becoming out of breath doing things that you used to do without a problem.
• Chest and/shoulder aches and pains.
• Recurrent chest infections.
• Unexplained tiredness or lack of energy.
• Unexplained weight/appetite loss.
• Finger-clubbing.
• A change in a long term cough or a cough that gets worse. It may sound different or be painful when you cough.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms contact your GP surgery to arrange an appointment.

The likelihood is that everything will be ok, but it is always better to be safe and be checked over.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SEE THE GP AND HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR APPOINTMENT?

• Write down your symptoms including when they started, when they happen and how often you have them.
• Write down anything that makes them worse or better.
• Tell your GP if you are worried about cancer and/or if you have any family history of cancer.
• Take a friend or relative along for support - they could also ask questions and take notes to help you remember what the GP says.
• Ask the GP to explain anything you do not understand.
• Ask the GP to write things down for you if you think it might help or make your own notes during the appointment.

The GP also might request some tests to be done. Some of these might be done in your appointment, such as a blood pressure reading, heart rate, temperature, height, and weight. They may also request you to see a practice nurse to carry out a spirometry.

The GP will likely request a blood test and also a chest x-ray. Once the results have been reviewed, you could then be referred onto a specialist for further investigation of your symptoms.

If you would like to find out more information about this then please contact the surgery on 01772 376 600 and ask to speak to a non-clinical cancer champion. They will be more than happy to help and to answer any questions that you have. Should they not know the answer, they will be able to find out and get back to you.