Campaign urges East Riding residents to act on respiratory symptoms

Public Health England's Be Clear on Cancer campaign returns to Yorkshire and the Humber to raise awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer, lung disease and heart disease – all leading causes of death.

The campaign encourages anyone with a persistent cough, or who gets out of breath doing things they used to be able to do, to visit their GP.

It also aims to make people aware that early diagnosis is crucial and finding diseases early makes them more treatable.

Figures show that across the Yorkshire and the Humber area around 4,500 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. Around 123,000 people have been diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – a common form of lung disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis) and over 212,500 with coronary heart disease.

Earlier diagnosis can save lives and improve the quality of life for people living with these diseases. Over 80% of people diagnosed with lung cancer at the earliest stage (stage 1) were alive one year after diagnosis. At the later stage (stage 4), this drops to 17 per cent.  Around 3,400 die from the disease in the Yorkshire and Humber area each year. 

Across England, lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer, accounting for around 28,400 deaths each year, while COPD is the cause of a further 24,000 deaths annually. Coronary heart disease (the main type of heart disease) is the single biggest cause of death, accounting for over 56,000 deaths in England each year.  Across the country there are estimated to be around 80,000 undiagnosed cases of lung cancer, one million cases of COPD and 600,000 undiagnosed cases of coronary heart disease.

A persistent cough or getting out of breath doing everyday tasks that you used to be able to do, such as mowing the lawn or vacuuming, could be a sign of lung cancer or other lung disease. Breathlessness could be a sign of heart disease as well. The campaign encourages anyone experiencing these symptoms to see their GP as finding these conditions early makes them more treatable.

The campaign is aimed at men and women aged 50 and over, as older people are most at risk of lung cancer, COPD and heart disease.

Andy Kingdom, Associate Director of Public Health at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “It is important for local people who have a persistent cough or breathlessness to seek advice from their general practice since early treatment for conditions can really improve health. I certainly welcome this campaign.”

The nationwide Be Clear on Cancer campaign has now started and will run throughout the summer. For further information about the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, other lung diseases and heart disease, search ‘Be Clear on Cancer’.