Bucks residents being reminded to know your lung cancer risk

Health chiefs in the Thames Valley are urging people to make sure they sure they know the risks and warning signs of lung cancer.

The call comes after data revealed fewer people are contacting their GP with symptoms while it was also revealed that a higher percentage of the referrals made for suspected cancer are being diagnosed at a more advanced stage.

Before the pandemic, 50,000 new lung cancer cases were diagnosed each year in the UK. Since COVID, that number has plummeted by between 3o and 50 per cent

Dr Anant Sachdev is primary care clinical lead for Thames Valley Cancer Alliance (TVCA). He said he was extremely concerned to learn that some patients think their illness is less severe than COVID-19 and stressed early diagnosis is crucial.

Dr Sachdev added: “Unfortunately with lung cancer, a lot of deaths happen because people were diagnosed at a later stage.  What we are finding is as a predicted consequence of the COVID pandemic is that a lot of patients are undiagnosed and die undiagnosed. We know later diagnoses means the chances of surviving one year drops greatly.

Let me tell you now; you are not a burden, your life and your health is just as important as anyone else’s and we want to help you but we need you to help us, and speak to your GP when you have a concern.”

The TVCA has launched a new campaign, #KnowYourCancerRisk, to help people understand the signs and symptoms of cancer. As well as a persistent cough, other symptoms can also be coughing up blood, sudden, unexplained weight loss, fatigue and a loss of appetite.

Dr Sachdev stressed cancer is just as important as COVID.

He explained: “It is our wish that people come to see their GP as soon as possible, not waiting to be in severe pain or discomfort and not worrying about coronavirus – to keep you safe and treat your symptoms, we need to establish why you are ill and we can’t do that if you stay away.

“Early stage diagnosis is what we are trying to achieve. It’s not a burden and it’s not a waste of time. I’d much rather speak to someone and actually try and diagnose something early for the patient and reassure them that they haven’t got it.

“The NHS is open. GPs and nurses want to see the patients. Please get help if you have any of these symptoms which could be linked to cancer.”