Coughing could be a sign of lung cancer
A new campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer is launched.
A new campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer urges people to go and see their GP if they have had a cough for more than three weeks.
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in England. There are 33,000 new cases every year. It kills more men and women than any other form of cancer.
Lung cancer affects people of all ages but is most common in those who are over 50. Although it is more common in smokers, around one in eight people with lung cancer has never smoked.
The risk of lung cancer gets worse as you get older, but finding it early improves the chances of successful treatment.
The campaign features new adverts - fronted by real-life GPs - in TV, radio, print and online media. The adverts urge anyone who has had a cough for three weeks or more to visit their doctor, or if they have some of the other symptoms of lung cancer:
- a cough that has got worse or changes
- repeated chest infections
- coughing up blood
- breathlessness
- feeling more tired than usual for some time
- losing weight for no obvious reason
- an ache or pain in the chest or shoulder that has lasted some time.