If you have had a persistent cough for three weeks or more, visit your GP. This is the simple message of a major campaign ‘Be Clear on Cancer campaign’ launched on 8th May. National TV, radio and print adverts - fronted by real-life GPs – aim to raise awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer and encourage people to get checked out by their GP if they have any of the symptoms.

Despite the disease killing more people than any other form of cancer in England, only one in 10 people know that a persistent cough for three weeks or more could be a symptom of lung cancer and if dealt with early could save their life. Other symptoms of lung cancer include coughing up blood, persistent shoulder pain, repeated chest infections and breathlessness.

Across England 33,000 people each year are diagnosed with lung cancer, with around 2,100 people affected across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and around 1,800 local people die each year from the disease. The earlier lung cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of survival. When diagnosed at its earliest stage, as many as 80 per cent of people live five years after diagnosis, compared with only seven per cent diagnosed at a later stage. The majority of cases occur in people over the age of 55. Although smoking is known to cause an increased risk of lung cancer, around one in eight people diagnosed have never smoked.

Island GP Dr David Isaac, from Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group, says: “It is a common belief that cancer is a death sentence. This really isn't the case and dispelling that myth could save lives. If caught early, cancer is treatable and early diagnosis is extremely important with lung cancer. Therefore, if you have had a cough for the past three weeks or more, you must visit your GP to get checked out.

“Sadly some patients don’t act on worrying symptoms for months and do not visit their GP. It’s very straightforward for your GP to examine you and determine whether to send you for further tests which can be done on the Island at St. Mary’s. If your GP wants to exclude the possibility of lung cancer, you will see a specialist within two weeks and they will then arrange for further tests and, if necessary, treatment. You will either get reassurance that it isn’t lung cancer, or you will find out it is and have a better chance of survival.”

For further information about the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, please visit www.nhs.uk/lungcancer

What are the symptoms of lung cancer?   If you have been coughing for the past three weeks or more, you need to see a doctor straight away. Some of the other symptoms of lung cancer include:

• 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 your chest or shoulder that has lasted some time

Your doctor will ask you a few questions and may suggest a chest x-ray. This is standard procedure and nothing to worry about. It doesn’t require an overnight hospital stay. Your doctor might ask you some of these questions:

• How long have you had a cough?
• Has it changed over time?
• Have you coughed up blood?
• Have you had any chest infections recently?
• Have you been short of breath?
• For how long?
• Has it changed over time?
• Have you lost any weight?
• Have you had a pain in your chest or shoulder?
• Has it changed over time?

It may help to write down your symptoms and how you feel so you don’t forget anything on your visit.