Oliver Heald MP
13 November 2007


.

MP Brings Lung Cancer Out Of The Shadow In Lung Cancer Awareness Month


LOCAL MP, Oliver Heald, heard how local pharmacies such as Manor PHARMACY are helping to raise awareness of lung cancer when they visited their local pharmacy today, 9th November 2007.

Staff at the pharmacy are supporting November’s Lung Cancer Awareness Month by displaying posters and making leaflets about the disease available to shoppers. 

Oliver Heald MP said: “Lung cancer is a devastating disease, affecting more than 37,000 Britons a year. But it can be successfully treated if it’s picked up at an early stage, when treatment has the best chance of working. 

“November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. It’s vital that people know the signs and symptoms of the disease, and pharmacies are a good place to pick up information. I’d also urge my constituents to make sure they go to their GP if they are worried they may have symptoms.”

“It is great news that Manor PHARMACY is using Lung Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness of the disease. Put simply, early detection of lung cancer can save lives.”

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world, and claims the lives of 33,000 Britons every year. 

Graham Phillips said: “Pharmacies are at the heart of local communities and many people come to their pharmacist for information and advice about their health. We want to make sure we do our bit to make sure people know the signs and symptoms and encourage them to seek advice from their GP. 

“We can also support people who are interested in quitting smoking, giving them advice about nicotine replacement therapies which they may find helpful. 
Stopping smoking, or preferably not starting in the first place, is still the best chance of reducing your risk of developing lung cancer.”

Lung Cancer Awareness Month is being supported by the UK Lung Cancer Coalition (UKLCC) – a powerful partnership of leading lung cancer experts, senior NHS and Department of Health professionals, charities and healthcare companies. 

Dame Gill Oliver, Chair of the UKLCC says: “While most cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking, many thousands of non-smokers are also diagnosed with the disease each year. So everyone needs to be aware of the signs and symptoms. 

“The UK Lung Cancer Coalition believes that we could double survival rates, if the best standards of treatment and care were available to all lung cancer patients. Increased awareness means disease can be detected and diagnosed earlier, leading to earlier referral and treatment. This too will be crucial in achieving the improved survival rates we are striving for.”