A woman who was diagnosed with England’s deadliest cancer says she feels lucky to be alive - after originally visiting her GP with a persistent cough. Karen McCarthy suspected that she had a chest infection, but after her doctor sent her for an X-ray it was discovered that she had lung cancer that required surgery to remove part of her right lung.
That was four years ago, and Ms Matthews is now backing NHS appeals for people with certain symptoms to seek lifesaving checks to catch lung cancer earlier. Recalling her diagnosis in 2018, she said: "It was a scary time but now I feel lucky to be alive. I’ve recovered well although I have noticed a difference in my energy levels compared to before cancer - but being four years older could play a part in that.
“I’m extremely grateful to my doctor who sent me for a life-saving lung screening which has allowed me to see the next generations of my family grow up.”
