A medical expert has warned Scots not to 'ignore' signs of lung cancer, stressing that it can be easier to treat if found early.
Jonnie Irwin, 48, presenter of A Place in the Sun, has announced that he has been told he has just six months to live after being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020.
He said that the first warning sign he picked up on was when his vision went blurry as he was driving. Speaking exclusively to Hello! Magazine, Jonnie now hopes his diagnosis will inspire people to "make the most of every day".
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This comes as November marks Lung Cancer Awareness month. NHS Scotland urges people aged 40 and over to get checked if they have a cough or a change in cough that last for more than three weeks, a persistent or recurring chest infection, or a change in breathlessness or new breathlessness. Those who smoke or used to smoke may also experience fatigue. If that's lasted longer than three weeks, and it's advised that they should speak to their GP.
As per NHS Scotland's Get Checked Early, Stephen Harrow, a Consultant Clinical Oncologist and honorary clinical associate professor at Edinburgh Cancer Centre has urged people to not ignore symptoms.
In Scotland, lung cancer is the most common cancer in the country with approximately 5,300 new cases diagnosed every year, and lung cancer rates for women in Scotland have increased by 22 per cent since 1995.
Harrow said: "Lung cancer is not as hopeless a diagnosis as it was even a few years ago – a lot has changed in recent years. We have access to brand new specialised radiotherapy equipment that have enabled us to develop and implement techniques to treat lung cancer more aggressively where previously we may only have been able to offer palliative treatment.
"At the same time as having greater control of the cancer, we are able to minimise the side effects of the treatments by targeting the cancer more accurately, thereby reducing damage to the healthy surrounding tissues.
"As clinicians, we want people to be diagnosed with lung cancer early as it opens up more treatment options such as surgery, radiotherapy and drug treatment. It is really important that patients, relatives and health care professionals are aware of the advances in the treatment of lung cancer and do not ignore symptoms that could turn out to be successfully treatable cancers."
You can see more information at Get Checked Early.
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