PHA Launches 'Be Cancer Aware' Campaign

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has launched a lung cancer campaign to raise awareness, as it is one of the most common cancers in Northern Ireland.

The PHA is launching the next phase of its 'Be Cancer Aware' campaign, which will focus specifically on lung cancer.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of signs and symptoms of lung cancer and encourage people to speak to their GP if they experience any of them.

Dr Miriam McCarthy, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at the PHA, said: "There were over 1,000 cases of lung cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2013. The illness is more common in people over 50 and in smokers, but around one in eight people with lung cancer has never smoked.

"If lung cancer is diagnosed early, two in five patients will survive five years or more. However, when the diagnosis is made later on, only one in 50 will live this long. That is why it is vital to seek medical advice if you experience any symptoms which could indicate that you may have the condition.

"We know from recent research that almost half of us (49%) would be put off going to the doctor if we had a symptom because we may worry about what the doctor might find.

"However, the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the easier it can be to treat, so the 'Be Cancer Aware' lung campaign highlights how important it is to know what to look out for and to get yourself checked if you notice anything which could point towards lung cancer."

(CD/JP)