Researchers have discovered that 27 percent of Irish people don’t know one single symptom of lung cancer.
The Irish Cancer Society expressed their concerns over the low figures, asking the public to be more aware of the symptoms.
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in Ireland, as well as the main cause of cancer deaths in the country, with over 2,000 people being diagnosed in Ireland every year.
New research from the Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC) has revealed that 27% of Irish people were unable to name any symptoms of lung cancer.
— Irish Cancer Society (@IrishCancerSoc) January 4, 2018
This is a significant drop in awareness from 2013 when only 9% of Irish people were unable to name any symptoms of the disease. pic.twitter.com/a1MJaaE5O7
As one of the most common forms of cancer, the Irish public needs to have a stronger knowledge of the signs and symptoms.
Donal Buggy of the Irish Cancer Society spoke about the symptoms, “A cough that doesn’t go away, or a feeling of shortness of breath, pain in your chest, feeling more tired than usual.”
Other symptoms of lung cancer include wheezing, repeated chest infections that won’t go away even with antibiotics, coughing up blood-stained phlegm, problems swallowing, unexplained weight loss and swelling in your face or neck.
The lack of awareness is seriously concerning. Lung cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in Ireland with over 2,500 cases diagnosed annually. It's also the leading cause of cancer deaths with, on average, 1,855 people dying from lung cancer each year during 2012-2014 #lungcancer
— Irish Cancer Society (@IrishCancerSoc) January 4, 2018
He also stressed the importance of attending your GP if you are worried, "If you have any of the symptoms go to your doctor, get seen, get treated and hopefully get well."
The sooner doctors diagnose cancer, the better. Many lung cancer cases aren’t detected at an early stage, which is why the public needs to be aware of the symptoms.
The Irish Cancer Society has asked the public to use their online lung health checker which is available here.
