People in West Lothian will learn more about the signs and symptoms of lung cancer when a national roadshow armed with advice and information about the disease stops at The Centre in Livingston on Saturday 25 January.
The Detect Lung Cancer Early roadshow aims to promote the benefits of the early detection of lung cancer across Scotland and build belief lung cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Treatments have improved enormously in recent years, and much more can be done about the disease if it’s detected in the early stages.
With 3472 incidences of lung cancer in NHS Lothian in the five years between 2005 and 2009, locals are being urged to be aware of changes to their health and visit their GP as early as possible with any concerns about a change in cough, their chest or breathing. Anyone with a changed cough, or a new cough lasting three weeks or more should also make an appointment with their GP.
Professor David Cameron, Director for Cancer Services, NHS Lothian, said: “The detection of lung cancer at an early stage is crucial in allowing us to give people in Lothian the best possible chances of overcoming this condition.
“The Detect Lung Cancer Early roadshows will highlight the symptoms and reiterate the importance of early detection of lung cancer therefore we would encourage everyone to visit their local roadshow this weekend.â€
Lung cancer is Scotland’s most common cancer with around 5,000 people diagnosed with the disease every year. Over 4,000 people die from lung cancer annually in Scotland and one of the main reasons mortality is so high is because the disease is not detected early enough. But more people than ever in Scotland are surviving lung cancer compared to 25 years ago.
Staff will be on hand to offer advice and information to passing shoppers, highlighting the earlier lung cancer is found, the easier it is to treat and the more likely you are to survive.
The nationwide tour is part of the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early campaign, which aims to increase the percentage of people who are diagnosed in the early stages of breast, bowel and lung cancer by 25 per cent by the end of 2015.
If you want to find out more information about lung cancer, the signs and symptoms, read an expert’s view and watch real stories of people who have survived the disease, visit www.getcheckedearly.org