We are supporting Lung Cancer Awareness month!

It's that time of year again when everyone is getting coughs and colds, but a persistent cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks can be a sign of something more serious.

Lung Cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the UK with more than 130 people being diagnosed with lung cancer every day, that's more than 40,000 people every year.

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and smoking from an early age can put people at a much higher risk. People who have never smoked can still get lung cancer, but the risk is much lower. Symptoms include:

A cough for 3 weeks or more
A change in a cough that you may have had for a long time
Coughing up blood
A chest infection that does not get better, or repeated chest infections
Feeling breathless or wheezy for no reason
Chest or shoulder pain that does not go away
A hoarse voice for 3 weeks or more

If you, or anyone you know, are experiencing symptoms please speak to your GP as soon as possible. The earlier cancer is detected the easier it is to treat!

Please follow the links below for more information:

If you are a smoker and wish to stop, please speak to your GP or self-refer here: Smoke Free County Durham - We're here to help you stop smoking. For good.

'The treatment I have received from all the staff has been excellent and could you extend my thanks to them all. A very thankful and relieved patient'.

Patient, Dermatology Outpatients Department, University Hospital of North Durham