New Research Aims to Tackle Lung Cancer in the County

26/01/2010

NHS Gloucestershire is carrying out research with people living in Gloucester as part of a new initiative to raise awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the South West. It is also the leading cause of deaths from cancer in men and the second most common cause of cancer deaths (after breast cancer) in women.

The research will explore how knowledgeable people are about the signs of lung cancer and the reasons why they might not go to a doctor sooner. It will also look at how people’s lifestyle may be putting them at greater risk.

Lung cancer is more prevalent in urban areas, and the work will focus on communities in the Gloucester district where lung cancer tends to be more common; however the learning’s from the research will have a benefit across the county.

Dr Sola Aruna, Consultant in Public Health at NHS Gloucestershire said:

‘Only one in three people diagnosed with lung cancer in Gloucestershire are still alive one year later and late presentation may be a major factor in this. We need to understand why people aren’t seeking help from their doctor at the first sign of symptoms, and what we can do to change this’.

The research will include interviews with people who have had lung cancer to understand their experiences of the disease, as well as group discussions with members of the public to explore general levels of knowledge about the condition. All responses will be treated confidentiality, and participants will not be named.

The views of health care professionals and community organisations are also being sought.

Dr Aruna added:

‘It’s important that we talk to an appropriate sample of the local community to build up a complete picture. If someone is approached to take part in the research, I’d encourage them to participate. Their views are important to us, and may help save lives in the future’.

The project is being funded by the National Cancer Action Team as part of the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI) led by the Department of Health and Cancer Research UK.

Further Information

NAEDI coordinate a programme of activities to support local interventions to raise public awareness of the signs and symptoms of early cancer and encourage people to seek help sooner.

Some of the early symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough, shortness of breath, coughing up phlegm, loss of appetite and fatigue.