New research from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society for Lung Cancer Awareness Month shows a low awareness of the key symptoms of lung cancer, the UK’s biggest cancer killer. In the season of winter colds and flu, the Society is advising people not to ignore a persistent cough or chest infection that doesn’t clear up, as it could be a sign of something more serious.

“If you don’t recognise a symptom is important, then you won’t realise you need help”, said Graham Phillips, community pharmacist and Board member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

“many people will repeatedly buy cough medicines or maybe iron tablets for tiredness and a lack of energy. If you find yourself doing this, then ask your pharmacist for advice. We can discuss your symptoms with you and help you understand you may have an underlying problem that needs checking out with your GP,” he added.

“Early detection of lung cancer saves lives. when symptoms are present and recognised at an early stage, treatment is much more likely to be successful. Pharmacists can play a vital role in this by talking to people with the relevant warning signs,” he said.

When asked to name warning signs or symptoms of lung cancer, only 33% of those questioned in a Royal Pharmaceutical Society/YouGov survey identified having a cough as a warning sign, while a further 11% specifically mentioned a persistent cough, which is a key symptom.

Just under half of those surveyed (48%) said breathlessness, breathing difficulties and wheezing were a warning sign, whilst only 29% mentioned having blood in the phlegm or coughing up blood as an indicator. A further 15% mentioned chest or lung pain and 10% mentioned weight loss as symptoms.

Almost 4 out of 5 (78%) said they would like their local pharmacist to talk to them if they were displaying any symptoms of lung cancer before they had noticed them, and 92% recognised that treatment is most effective in the early stages of the disease.

When questioned, 66%* of people said it was likely they would consider some of the key symptoms of lung cancer to be a bad cold or cough or nasty bout of flu, rather than symptoms of lung cancer, if they had them.

“whatever the time of year, if you can’t seem to shake off symptoms that seem similar to colds and flu, such as a persistent cough or chest infection, or if you keep losing your voice, feel breathless or tired and lacking in energy, then ask your pharmacist for advice instead of buying an over-the-counter medicine or picking something up in the supermarket,” said Graham.

“your pharmacist can also help you to stop smoking, the cause of 90%** of cases of lung cancer. We are open evenings and weekends, are easily accessible on the local high street and can provide confidential advice without an appointment,” he added.

Dr Jesme Fox, Medical Director of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, which is working with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to promote lung cancer awareness, said: “Lung cancer has extremely poor survival rates and one of the reasons for this is that the disease tends to be diagnosed at a very advanced stage, when there are limited treatment options.

“Pharmacy staff can play a key role in the fight against lung cancer and we hope this campaign will help to increase early detection of the disease as this can save lives.”

Source: Royal Pharmaceutical Society