People with lung cancer are dying owing to the late diagnosis of the disease. One of the best ways to improve survival rates is the early detection. The most common symptoms of lung cancer which are generally not taken into account seriously include having cough most of the time, shortness of breath, pain in chest or shoulder, chest infections, coughing up blood etc. It is important to call for public awareness campaigns focused on lung cancer to better understand the signs and symptoms. Smokers should also quit smoking as early as possible.
Lung cancer is the third most common type of cancer in UK and takes away more than 35,000 people every year. According to the new report by UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC), patients in UK are being diagnosed too late. Professor Mick Peake, clinical director of the Centre for Cancer Outcomes, said: “The UK has some of the worst lung cancer survival rates in Europe. This is because lung cancer is being diagnosed too late, often after an emergency presentation.” “Diagnosing lung cancer at an early stage can lead to more treatment options and better outcomes for patients,” he added.
According to the Office for National Statistics, 88% of lung cancer patients diagnosed early (at stage 1) will survive for at least a year, compared to 19% who are diagnosed with the most advanced stage of the disease. UKLCC also reported that in England, roughly 40% of people with lung cancer first specialist care via an emergency admission to hospital.
It is always recommended that one should not ignore the early signs of lung cancer. If any symptom is noticed, one should contact your health practitioner immediately.
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only.