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Saturday, 26 March 2005 09:52 | BNN: British Nursing News Online · www.bnn-online.co.uk
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UK researchers claim that people could be dying of lung cancer because they fail to spot and act on early warning signs.
The researchers interviewed 22 recently diagnosed lung cancer patients and found that many had experienced symptoms for months before going to their doctors.
None of the 22 interviewed realised that their tiredness, coughs and breathlessness might be serious or even symptoms of lung cancer.
Professor Jessica Corner, of Macmillan Cancer Relief and professor of palliative care at the University of Southampton, said: "There is a clear need for different approaches to public health whereby people at risk are encouraged to be more conscious of their health and to the possibility that they may develop lung cancer.
"This may lead to earlier presentation, faster diagnosis and better outcomes”.
A spokesman from the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation said: "Early diagnosis of lung cancer is vitally important. Survival rates are poor simply because people are diagnosed too late.
"People need to be aware of the early symptoms of lung cancer. Some ignore their symptoms or do not think it will happen to them and do not go to their doctor. It's tragic.
"Get these symptoms checked out by a doctor, especially if you are a smoker”.
All but one of the patients in the study was current or former smokers.
"You must go to your doctor and ask for a chest x-ray," he said.
He called for a national campaign to raise public awareness.
Dr Siow-Ming Lee of Cancer Research UK cautioned that the study was small and that more research was needed to determine whether earlier detection would save lives.
She said: "Diagnosis of lung cancer, including earlier diagnosis to improve prognosis, can be a very emotional and complex issue.
"Attempts to date using sophisticated spiral CT scan technology and molecular markers in high-risk patients to pick up early lung cancer have so far not improved lung cancer mortality”.
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