DEEP BREATH
When your niggling cough is REALLY lung cancer – and how feeling breathless can also be a sign of killer heart or lung disease
HAVE you got a cough you just can't shift, or feeling breathless for seemingly no reason?
If you've been spluttering for three weeks or more, and gasping to catch your breath, it could be time to worry, experts warn.
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For the symptoms are early signs of lung cancer and heart disease.
Public Health England today launches their Be Clear On Cancer campaign, urging people to learn the signs of some of the biggest killer diseases.
Lung cancer, heart disease and lung disease are to blame for more than 150,000 deaths in England every year.
But, early diagnosis can save lives, PHE said.
Julia Verne, clinical lead for PHE, said: "Breathlessness and a persistent cough are symptoms that can be easily ignored or put down to getting older, or be seen as just minor health niggles.
"But these symptoms can be warning signs and it is really important to get them checked out by a doctor.
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"People are more likely to urge others to seek medical help for these symptoms than speak to a GP themselves.
"Getting help early rather than waiting until the problem gets worse is vital.
"Early diagnosis saves lives and can improve quality of life for people with long-term conditions."
Getting help early rather than waiting until the problem gets worse is vital. Early diagnosis saves lives and can improve quality of life for people with long-term conditions
Julia Verne
The new campaign is aimed at those aged 50 and above, because they are at greatest risk of lung cancer, COPD and heart disease.
In England around 1.8 million people have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease - the main form of heart disease.
Meanwhile, one million people are living with COPD and 37,600 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year.
Professor Chris Harrison, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, said the good news is cancer survival rates are at their highest ever.
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"Earlier diagnosis and treatment will help us make further gains for the 150,000 people who die of lung cancer, lung disease and heart disease in England each year," he said.
"The earlier people are diagnosed, the better their chances, and that’s why campaigns like this – which help people understand what symptoms to look out for and when to visit the GP – are so important."
Dr Dawn Harper, a judge for The Sun's Who Cares Wins health awards, is backing the campaign.
She said people can be put of visiting their GP for a number of reasons.
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"Some may not think getting out of breath doing everyday things could be a sign of something serious," she said.
"They may put a persistent cough down to an infection.
"They may be fearful of what they will find out, or even worry about wasting their GP's time.
"In many cases, it won't be anything serious, but it’s so important that people don’t ignore their symptoms or put off a trip to the doctor.
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"You won’t be wasting our time - we want to see you and we want to help."
Dr Penny Woods, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation, said: "We know lung disease kills one person every five minutes in the UK.
"Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing irreversible damage.
"If you feel breathless doing everyday tasks it could be an important sign of the disease."
She said added: "You should make an appointment with your GP. Don't put it off."
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