A Woodley woman is encouraging people to test for lung disease after advances in healthcare allowed her to improve her quality of life.

Janet Fuller is 72 and has suffered lung problems since she was a child.

She was first diagnosed with asthma but as time went on doctors discovered it was a lung disease called bronchiectasis, giving her frequent infections in small pockets of the lungs.

She has since had surgery to remove part of her lung, which improved her quality of life dramatically, and is continually monitored to control her condition.

Now Mrs Fuller, who is a patient at Woodley Centre Surgery, wants to make sure people are aware of the tests available which can identify lung disease at an early stage.

She said: “I still have to take antibiotics in winter to avoid infection but I was always tired before – I sometimes passed out and I had a dry cough.

“Everything’s changed now and I know how to manage my condition so I can lead a normal life.”

Her nurse, Shena Gray, said: “There are a lot of lung conditions that come under the umbrella of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Testing people for the condition and early diagnosis can help us control symptoms and relieve symptoms early on.”

Using a breathing device called a spirometer, the amount of air in a person’s lungs can be measured. It is painless and usually takes less than 10 minutes but requires taking a very deep breath, the test can then show any signs of lung disease.

You should think about taking the test if you cough a lot, become short of breath when walking quickly, are worried about the health of your lungs, are already receiving treatment for lung disease or are aged over 40 and have smoked cigarettes during the past 12 months.

Lesley Wyman, senior public health specialist for NHS Berkshire West, said: “We are committed to raising awareness of the importance of picking up lung disease early. A simple test can help to identify changes in the lungs that may have already occurred. Your GP and Practice Nurse can then help to further identify what these changes mean and advise you how they can best be managed.”