NHS urges people to come forward for life-saving cancer checks

People in north east London who have had a cough for three weeks or more are being encouraged to contact their GP practice and come forward for life-saving checks, as part of an NHS campaign.

The ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign from NHS England uses TV, radio and online adverts, and social media to increase knowledge of the key symptom of lung cancer.

The ads feature people with a persistent cough and aim to encourage people experiencing this to contact their GP practice.

NHS data shows that around 4,000 people in London are diagnosed with lung cancer each year.

A cough is a common symptom for many things, but when you have a cough that doesn’t go away after three weeks or more, it could be a sign of cancer.

This campaign aims to remind people with a long-standing cough and their loved ones not to be complacent, and encourages them to get checked out. It’s likely nothing to be too worried about, but, if it does turn out to be cancer, the earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

Whenever anyone notices anything unusual for their bodies that they are worried could be cancer, it’s vital that they take action by contacting their GP practice.

In addition to the symptom of a cough for three weeks or more, other symptoms of lung cancer include:

• Chest infections that keep coming back
• Coughing up blood
• A long-standing cough that gets worse
• An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
• Persistent breathlessness
• Persistent tiredness or lack of energy
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

For more information on cancer signs and symptoms go to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/symptoms/

Targeted Lung Health Checks

To help spot lung cancer sooner, people aged between 55-74 and who have ever smoked are being invited for a free lung health check. This is currently available in Barking & Dagenham and Tower Hamlets. We will be expanding to more areas in north east London in the near future.

For more information visit https://www.nelcanceralliance.nhs.uk/tlhc