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Nurses in Leaflets Alert on Lung Cancer

Posted on: Wednesday, 24 November 2004, 06:00 CST

LUNG cancer is now the UK's biggest cancer killer in both men and women. Reporter HELENA MARKOVIC spoke to the nurses and patients who are trying to raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms as part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, in the hope morepeople will seek treatment earlier.

LUNG cancer patients gave first-hand accounts of the killer disease during an awareness day in Coventry city centre.

Bill Turnbull, James McDonald and Martin Fendius spoke out about their battle with cancer in a bid to alert others to the symptoms of the disease.

The lung cancer patients were with a team of nurses from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Hospitals NHS Trust at West Orchards Shopping Centre, handing out leaflets as part of Lung Cancer Awareness month. Lung cancer is now the UK's biggestcancer killer in both men and women, with 94 people a day dying from the disease.

Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer, but experts say it is vital to point out that 15percent of people who develop lung cancer have never smoked.

Lung cancer nurse Lindsey Fitzpatrick, from the hospitals trust, said: "Early diagnosis saves lives and if anyone has the symptoms they should get it checked out as soon as they can and go to their GP.

"This applies to women, too. It's not an old man's disease - it affects women of all ages.

"As lung cancer nurses, we can help them to make decisions about their treatment as well as practical and emotional support."

It is hoped that by encouraging those most at risk to recognise the symptoms early and visit their GP, it will reduce the number of deaths from the disease.

People are urged to visit their GP and request a chest X-ray, particularly if they smoke or used to smoke and are experiencing lung cancer symptoms.

For further information about lung cancer, phone the lung cancer nurses on 024 7653 5137; the Roy Castle Helpline on 0800 358 7200 or the Macmillan CancerLine on 0808 808 2020.

Lung-cancer symptoms to watch out for include:

Recurring chest infections A nagging cough for more than three weeks Out of breath more than ever before Unexplained shoulder, chest or back pain

Three cancer patients tell their stories

BILL TURNBULL

BILL TURNBULL, of Meadow Road, Holbrooks, used to smoke cigarettes but moved on to smoking pipes and cigars.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2000. He doesn't smoke now.

The 67-year-old said: "I thought pipes and cigars were safe because they didn't carry the warnings.Then I had a chest infection that just wouldn't go away no matter what antibiotics I took.

"I didn't really think anything until I started coughing up blood. It really frightened me so I went to my GP. An X-ray confirmed I had lung cancer."

Bill started radiotherapy and has been in remission ever since. He still has the tumour in his lungs because doctors are unable to operate on it due to its position.

Bill added: "I was 62 when I was diagnosed and I had to give up work. There was no other option even though I wanted to stay on. That was really upsetting.

"I would encourage everyone if they are worried to have a check up - and give up smoking straight away. I had to have a fright like this to make me stop."

MARTIN FENDIUS

LEAMINGTON businessman Martin Fendius lost a lung to cancer earlier this year. The 57-year-old, who gave up smoking 13 years ago, had an operation in July to remove a tumour in his right lung which effectively meant taking the whole lung out.

Four months on, he is still recovering and learning how to cope because even day-to-day tasks such as walking up stairs, carrying objects or being in a smoke-filled environment leaves him dizzy and breathless.

Mr Fendius, who runs his own company, said: "It's not a death sentence but it can be if it's not found straight away. I definitely blame smoking. My brother came to see me in hospital. He smoked like a chimney but after that visit, he gave up for good."

JAMES McDONALD

FORMER Coventry firefighter James McDonald is the longest- surviving lung cancer patient in Coventry.

The 59-year-old, of Holyhead Road, worked at Radford Road fire station for 30 years and was diagnosed with lung cancer six weeks after he retired in 1999.

He said: "I stopped smoking when I was in my 20s but because of my job I had been exposed to smoke.

"It was still a shock when I was diagnosed and even more of a shock to lose one of my lungs. I'm always keeping my fingers crossed that it won't come back."

Source: Coventry Evening Telegraph

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