One in five unable to name lung cancer symptom

[Posted: Tue 17/11/2009 by Olivia Fens]

Almost one in five Irish people are unable to name one symptom of lung cancer, while a further 61% are unaware that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related death in Ireland, according to a new study.

The study was released as part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

More than 1,700 Irish people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year and almost 90% of all patients die within five years of diagnosis.

One of the primary causes for the high mortality rate is the relatively late stage at which the disease is diagnosed.

“The results of this research show a clear lack of knowledge among the public about the disease. It is important that we use Lung Cancer Awareness Month as a platform to drive further awareness of a cancer that claims more lives than any other type of cancer in Ireland,” Norma Cronin, Irish Cancer Society health promotion manager said.

“We need to ensure that people are aware of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, and visit their GP without delay should they feel they might be at risk from this illness.”

Symptoms of lung cancer may include one or several of these symptoms:
• A persistent cough that lasts more than two to three weeks
• Constant chest or shoulder pain
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Persistent chest infections
• Unexplained fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss.

Early diagnosis is key in surviving the deadly disease however, despite this, a recent EU report showed that only 12% of lung cancer patients in Ireland were detected at the early stages of the disease.

The Irish Thoracic Society is now preparing new guidelines that highlight the need for early intervention and treatment for patients suffering from this illness.

The new guidelines, which will be launched in the coming weeks, will provide physicians with updated information relating to the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer and emphasise the requirement for rapid access of patients to multidisciplinary assessment and care.

“It is imperative that anyone who recognises the signs and symptoms of lung cancer visits their GP urgently, as lung cancer survival is very much dependent on early diagnosis,” Dr Ross Morgan, consultant respiratory physician at Beaumont Hospital and member of the Irish Thoracic Society’s Lung Cancer Group said.

The study was carried out by Empathy research on behalf of Roche Products (Ireland) Ltd.