If you’re heading down to Gorton on Monday 3 October or Salford on 7 October, you might spot something you weren’t expecting…
The NHS, in collaboration with Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, is touring the country with a giant pair of 12ft high lungs to raise awareness of lung cancer symptoms and start much-needed conversations around the disease.
The Roy Castle Foundation is touring the North West, including Gorton and Salford in Greater Manchester, with a pair of giant lungs to raise awareness and start conversations about lung health.
The inflatable organs are large enough for visitors to step inside where they can learn about typical lung structures, lung health and the effects of smoking. Those attending can also speak to trained community engagement teams and patient advocates who will encourage them to visit their GP to talk about suspected symptoms.
Lung cancer GP referrals have been the slowest of all cancer types to recover since the start of the pandemic, with the Help Us Help You lung cancer campaign aiming to increase early referrals which dramatically improve health outcomes in cancer care.
Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer within Greater Manchester.
Dr Matthew Evison, Clinician Lead for Lung Cancer at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, said:
“Lung cancer is a very significant issue in Manchester. Sadly, lung cancer causes more deaths than any other disease in Manchester, more than heart attacks, strokes and any other cancer. Many people are unfortunately diagnosed with late-stage disease when we can no longer treat with curative intent. By getting out into the heart of the community and having these vital conversations about early diagnosis and seeing a doctor with any symptoms that could be caused by lung cancer, like a new or different cough for 3 weeks or more. These vital conversations can save lives.”
Chief executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, Paula Chadwick, said:
“Lung cancer is a disease that no one wants to talk about, but it is vital that we do because these conversations can save lives. We need to lose the stigma and nihilistic perceptions around lung cancer and be more open about this disease that affects so many of us. “Yes, lung cancer is currently the UK’s biggest cancer killer but being able to recognise its many different symptoms and taking immediate action can change this, helping people get diagnosed earlier when lung cancer is easier to treat.”
The main symptoms of lung cancer include a cough that doesn’t go away after three weeks, chest infections that keep coming back, coughing up blood, an ache or pain when breathing or coughing, persistent breathlessness, persistent tiredness or lack of energy and/or loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss.
Our NHS Long Term Plan aims to save thousands more lives each year by dramatically improving how we diagnose and treat cancer – our ambition is that by 2028, an extra 55,000 people each year will survive for five years or more following their cancer diagnosis.
The Let’s Talk Lung Cancer roadshow will be at Gorton Market on Monday 3 October and at Salford Shopping Centre on Friday 7 October. Anyone concerned about symptoms or affected by lung cancer is urged to go down and chat with the team.
You can also find out more about the symptoms of lung cancer on the NHS website.
The main symptoms of lung cancer include:
- a cough that doesn’t go away after 2 or 3 weeks
- a long-standing cough that gets worse
- chest infections that keep coming back
- coughing up blood
- an ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- persistent breathlessness
- persistent tiredness or lack of energy
- loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
If you have any of these, you should see a GP.
Less common symptoms of lung cancer include:
- changes in the appearance of your fingers, such as becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger (this is known as finger clubbing)
- difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or pain when swallowing
- wheezing
- a hoarse voice
- swelling of your face or neck
- persistent chest or shoulder pain
