Let Go of the Labels this Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Stop thinking about whether someone has smoked or not. Lung cancer can affect anyone – regardless of smoking.
Labels like smoker and never smoker can distort what’s really going on and deny people the chance of an earlier, life saving diagnosis.
- If someone has smoked, they can more reluctant to seek help because they feel guilty or ashamed, or presume their symptoms are directly caused by smoking.
- If someone used to smoke, they may fail to recognise their ongoing risk of developing lung cancer.
- If someone has never smoked, they often face many more visits to their GP or have their symptoms misdiagnosed because they don’t fit the ‘lung cancer stereotype’.
Whatever the label, it can impact on how quickly someone is diagnosed with lung cancer. We need to join together, let go of the labels and save lives.
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer
Lung cancer may not always have symptoms early on.
The symptoms of lung cancer can include:
- a cough for 3 weeks or more
- a change in a cough you have had for a long time
- a chest infection that does not get better, or repeated chest infections
- feeling breathless and wheezy for no reason
- coughing up blood
- losing weight for no obvious reason
- feeling tired
- chest or shoulder pain that does not get better
- a hoarse voice for 3 weeks or more
- back pain
If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to get them checked by your GP.
Find more information about the signs and symptoms of lung cancer from Macmillan Cancer Support.
Ask the Nurse Helpline
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation have a free lung cancer Ask the Nurse helpline to provide information, advice and support.
0800 358 7200
Open Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm / Friday 9am – 4pm
You can also ask any questions or seek support from the online community at https://healthunlocked.com/lungcancer
Halton Cancer Support Group
Halton Support Group offer support to those in the Halton area whose lives have been touched by cancer. Anyone who has been affected by cancer, directly or through a friend or family member, is welcome at the Centre.
Offer support groups, counselling, beauty treatments, information and more.
0151 423 5730
