November is Lung Cancer Awareness month. The aim of the campaign is to encourage people displaying the common symptoms of lung cancer, to visit their GP.
Lung Cancer symptoms can be:
- Having a cough most of the time
- A change in cough you have had for a long time
- Being short of breath
- Coughing up phlegm with signs of blood in it
- An ache or a pain when breathing or coughing
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Losing weight
- Having a chest infection, that doesn’t go away with treatment
There are many reasons why you might have some of the symptoms above. It may be nothing serious, but it is worth getting yourself checked out. If you have any of the symptoms for more than 3 weeks make an appointment with your GP today.
Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of Lung Cancer (Cancer Research UK). The Belfast Trust has a Stop Smoking Service for Staff where you can access 12 weeks’ support and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to help you stop smoking. Contact Darren Whiteside 07701 279263 if you work in North and West Belfast or Paul O’Kane 07824 619359 if you work in South and East Belfast for further information, or click on the link Refer a BHSCT Patient or Staff Member Here
For more information on Lung Cancer, the following websites may be useful: