November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer. More than 43,000 people are diagnosed with the condition every year in the UK.
There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer, but many people with the condition eventually develop symptoms including:
- 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
- Unexpected weight loss
- Unexplained tiredness
- chest or shoulder pain that does not get better
- a hoarse voice for 3 weeks or more.
If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to get them checked by your GP.
In England, the NHS is beginning lung cancer screening health checks to diagnose people at risk of lung cancer at an early stage. This is for people over 55 years who smoke or used to smoke. There are plans to start similar programmes in Scotland and Wales. You can find out more about the screening programme on the NHS website.