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Lung cancer nurses urge patients to get checked out
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and this year the lung cancer specialist nurses at York Hospital are asking people to hold their head high to highlight the illness.
Over 46,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year, with nearly 36,000 dying from it. It is the UK's biggest cancer killer in both men and women, and early detection is the key to surviving lung cancer.
This year’s Hold your #HeadHigh campaign is aimed at supporting patients and families with their illness and helping remove the stigma attached to the disease.
Lucy Doughty, Macmillan Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, explained: “There is a perception that somehow lung cancer patients have brought it on themselves but lung cancer can effect both smokers and non-smokers of any age and any gender.
“We’re promoting the #HeadHigh campaign to show support for patients whatever their story. They should not feel ashamed to have lung cancer. The sooner it is caught, the more likely it is that people can have curative treatment so we want to make sure they know the signs and symptoms of lung cancer.
“According to the Roy Castle Foundation, patients were found to be around five times more likely to have surgery, and less likely to have chemotherapy if they were diagnosed at the earliest stage, compared to the latest stage.”
Rita, one of Lucy’s patients, is keen to back the #HeadHigh campaign. She was anxious about going to her doctor's with symptoms as she was a smoker. After seeing her GP she was quickly diagnosed and now receives the treatment and care she needs at York Hospital.
Rita said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the understanding and support I’ve received from everyone - from seeing my GP at the start, right throughout my diagnosis and treatment. Although I judged myself harshly for being a smoker, I have been given all the support I need which has helped restore my confidence after being diagnosed. Anyone worried about symptoms should go and see your doctor, they want to help you.”
24 November 2017
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and this year the lung cancer specialist nurses at York Hospital are asking people to hold their head high to highlight the illness.
Over 46,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year, with nearly 36,000 dying from it. It is the UK's biggest cancer killer in both men and women, and early detection is the key to surviving lung cancer.
This year’s Hold your #HeadHigh campaign is aimed at supporting patients and families with their illness and helping remove the stigma attached to the disease.
Lucy Doughty, Macmillan Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, explained: “There is a perception that somehow lung cancer patients have brought it on themselves but lung cancer can effect both smokers and non-smokers of any age and any gender.
“We’re promoting the #HeadHigh campaign to show support for patients whatever their story. They should not feel ashamed to have lung cancer. The sooner it is caught, the more likely it is that people can have curative treatment so we want to make sure they know the signs and symptoms of lung cancer.
“According to the Roy Castle Foundation, patients were found to be around five times more likely to have surgery, and less likely to have chemotherapy if they were diagnosed at the earliest stage, compared to the latest stage.”
Rita, one of Lucy’s patients, is keen to back the #HeadHigh campaign. She was anxious about going to her doctor's with symptoms as she was a smoker. After seeing her GP she was quickly diagnosed and now receives the treatment and care she needs at York Hospital.
Rita said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the understanding and support I’ve received from everyone - from seeing my GP at the start, right throughout my diagnosis and treatment. Although I judged myself harshly for being a smoker, I have been given all the support I need which has helped restore my confidence after being diagnosed. Anyone worried about symptoms should go and see your doctor, they want to help you.”
