A Caerphilly woman is taking part in a national campaign to raise awareness of lung cancer after losing her father to the disease.
Allison Pinney Collis, 38, is supporting Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November following the death of her father Chris Miller, who died only ten days after he was diagnosed.
She said: “My dad didn’t have any of the usual symptoms but he was at risk of lung cancer as he had been a smoker and he’d had TB as a child.
“I’m particular keen to raise awareness that lung cancer isn’t just a smokers’ disease and that genetics and environment can be a precursor.
“I’m also keen to see research into screen techniques – I wouldn’t like to see the situations similar to breast cancer, where screening can over diagnose, but I would like to see a route to help those at risk detect symptoms and mass on the lungs sooner.”
Each year almost 40,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK, making it the second most common cancer after breast cancer.
Despite this awareness of the signs and symptoms is low and more than two thirds of patients are diagnosed at a stage when they are unable to be cured.
Paula Chadwick, chief executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said: “Lung cancer affects many people in but there is hope as early diagnosis really does save lives. If you have any symptoms please get checked out by a health professional as soon as possible.”
The early signs and symptoms of lung cancer are:
A cough that doesn’t go away after two to three weeks
Worsening or change of a long-standing cough
Repeated chest infections
Coughing up blood
Unexplained persistent breathlessness
Unexplained persistent tiredness
Unexplained persistent weight loss
Persistent chest and /or shoulder pain
These symptoms may not be serious, in which case, there is nothing to lose by getting them checked out. If they are serious, there is everything to gain – diagnosis at an early stage could save your life.
Plaid Cymru AM Lindsay Whittle has spoken of his support to raise awareness of lung disease after attending a recent event organised by the British Lung Foundation.
The AM for South Wales East attended a ‘Meet the Patients’ event which brought together people with lung conditions from all over Wales. The foundation visited the Assembly to ask AMs for their support in making respiratory disease a national priority in Wales.
Wales has a high incidence of lung disease, with 20% of the population having some form of respiratory condition. Chronic conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, present a real challenge for respiratory services in Wales because of the correlation between the disease and Wales’ ageing population.
Last year respiratory emergency admissions in Welsh hospitals totalled 46,218 – the highest they have been for over a decade.
Mr Whittle said: “I was delighted to meet with representatives of Breathe Easy groups and learn of the every-day challenges that are presented to people with breathing difficulties.
“I’m aware that in my constituency lung disease presents a very real challenge for many people. Wales needs a national plan which puts to bed the postcode lottery of respiratory services.”