A Dunblane lung cancer survivor is backing a national campaign to encourage people with possible symptoms of lung cancer to get checked without delay.
The Scottish Government’s ‘Settling In’ campaign, urges people to contact their GP practice if they have unusual breathlessness or a new or different persistent cough for more than three weeks.
These symptoms can be early signs of lung cancer, especially if aged over 40.
Bill Culbard spoke this week of his gratitude that his diagnosis and subsequent successful treatment over 20 years ago has allowed him to work, travel, and watch his family grow.
He was joined by other lung cancer survivors from across Scotland who have shared their experiences of diagnosis and treatment to help reassure those who may be worried about taking that first step.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer in Scotland, with 5,3001 people on average diagnosed each year.
However latest figures show that there have been significant improvements in the proportion of people surviving in recent years, with more curative treatments available when the disease is found at an earlier stage.
Bill (79) from Dunblane was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2000 after a family friend noticed his persistent cough, and along with his wife Gwen, encouraged him to make an appointment with his GP practice.
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His GP initially referred him for an x-ray, which showed a shadow across his lung. Following other tests, Bill received chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
He received the news that the cancer had gone a year after his diagnosis and had returned to work shortly after his treatment finished.
He said: “Being diagnosed with cancer will always be a big deal and a huge worry, but if it’s caught early enough it really does make a difference to your options and chance of survival.
“The best thing I ever did was go to the doctor, that visit gave me an extra 22 years and counting.
“Whether it’s a persistent cough, breathlessness, any of these things that aren’t normal for you should trigger a wee thought in your head to go and get checked out. There’s every chance that it could save your life.”
The Detect Cancer Early campaign drives home that the sooner lung cancer is diagnosed, the more that can be done to treat it, in a bid to encourage people who have possible signs or symptoms to seek help.
Jennifer Wilson, lead Macmillan lung cancer nurse specialist for NHS Forth Valley, said: “Finding and treating cancer as early as possible remains a priority so If you have a possible symptom of lung cancer please contact your local GP practice without delay. Your GP can provide advice and arrange any follow up tests required.”
Dr Philip Hodkinson, Consultant Respiratory Physician and Joint National Clinical Lead for Detect Cancer Early, said: “More treatments with the potential to cure lung cancer are available than ever before, but finding it in its earliest stages is key to maximising treatment options. That’s why it’s so important that anyone experiencing symptoms visits their GP practice so that they can be assessed as soon as possible and referred, if appropriate, to the correct specialist.
“Whether you yourself have possible symptoms, or a family member or friend does, please don’t put off booking an appointment. The chance of survival is up to ten times higher if we can treat lung cancer before it spreads to other parts of the body, and a much wider range of treatment options are available. Additionally, the body can respond better to treatment when cancer is found earlier.”
For more information about the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, visit getcheckedearly.org.
