Lung Cancer Awareness

Image of someone in a white t-shirt displaying a graphic of the inside of a lung. The person is holding up a white ribbon to raise awareness of lung cancer.

What is Lung Cancer?

Access lung cancer information in audio here.

Lung cancer starts in the windpipe (trachea), the main airway (bronchus) or the lung tissue. Cancer that starts in the lung is called primary lung cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Dry cough
Fatigue
Lack of appetite
Night sweats
Lung pain
Unexplained weight loss
Difficulty breathing
Pain when laughing.

Risks for Lung Cancer

Smoking – Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Smoking causes more than 70% of all lung cancers. If you need support to stop smoking, we have information on the NHS smoking cessation programme here. Stopping smoking also reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Chemical Exposure – It is estimated that approximately 13% of lung cancers are caused by occupational exposure. People in certain occupations can have a higher risk of developing lung cancer because they are exposed to certain chemicals, such as asbestos, silica, coal and nickel.
Family History – A study found that people whose sibling was diagnosed with lung cancer have an increased risk of lung cancer (82%), whilst people whose parent has/had the disease has a 25-37% increased risk. This is independent of smoking.

Screening for Lung Cancer

In England, the NHS is beginning lung cancer screening health checks to diagnose people at risk of lung cancer at an early stage. This is for people over 55 years who smoke or used to smoke. There are plans to start similar programmes in Scotland and Wales. You can find out more about the screening programme on the NHS website.

If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter or phone call from your GP or a local NHS service inviting you to an appointment.

You may be invited if all the following apply to you:

you live in an area where lung health checks are currently offered
you’re aged between 55 and 74
you’re registered with a GP surgery
you’re a current or former smoker

Even if you have not been invited for screening, if you feel that you have any of the signs or symptoms of lung cancer, it is important to see your GP as soon as possible. Early detection of lung cancer can help increase your odds of beating the cancer.

How is it done?

Your appointment may be in person, by phone, or online.

A health professional will ask about your health and lifestyle to find out more about your risk of lung cancer.

This includes questions about your breathing, lifestyle, and family and medical history. They will also take your height and weight measurements.

At the end of the lung health check, 1 of the following things will happen:

No further action – if the lung health check suggests you are not at higher risk of developing lung cancer, then no further action is needed.
Referral to your GP – if the lung health check finds problems with your breathing or lung health, you may be referred to your GP for a follow-up appointment to discuss this in more detail.
Offered a CT scan of your lungs – if the lung health check finds you’re at a higher risk of developing lung cancer, you may be invited for a CT scan to take a detailed picture of your lungs. This might be on the same day, or you may be invited to another appointment. The lung health check team will write to your GP with details of your appointment.

If you need support with tasks such as registering with your GP, calling cancer helplines or reading printed information sent to you, you can contact Galloways for support here.

Further information and support

The support we provide to blind and partially sighted people is only possible thanks to the generosity of donations received from our funders, and from the kindness of people just like you. Find out how you can help to support blind and visually impaired people with Galloways.