1 in 4 don’t know lung cancer warning signs
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ONE in four Irish people don’t know the warning signs for lung cancer, it has been revealed.
The Irish Cancer Society found 27% of those asked were unable to name any symptoms of the killer disease.
It is a significant drop in awareness from 2013 when only 9% of Irish people were unable to name any telltale signs.
Lung cancer is the second most common form of the disease here with more than 2,500 diagnoses each year, including 724 cases in Dublin in 2015.
Other county figures included Cork which had 249 cases, Galway at 110, Limerick had 91 and Donegal 93.
The findings come as Lung Cancer Awareness Month was launched by the charity.
The illness claims more lives here than any other type of cancer with, on average, 1,855 people dying from it each year from 2012 to 2014.
The majority of cases are diagnosed late which is why awareness of the symptoms and early detection is vital.
These include a cough that doesn’t go away, feeling short of breath or wheezing, chest infections that won’t go away even after antibiotics and coughing up blood.
The society encourages the public to access its simple online tool at www.cancer.ie/lung/checker.
Speaking at the launch, Kevin O’hagan said: “The significant drop in awareness of the symptoms is worrying, given the numbers are only set to increase, particularly amongst women.
“Alarmingly, female cases are projected to increase by at least
77% between 2010 and 2040 and male cases by at least 52%. One in four lung cancer cases are diagnosed in emergency departments and many of these are at an advanced stage.
“Irish people need to get checked if they experience any symptoms and not wait to present as an emergency.
“Late diagnosis limits your treatment options and reduces your chances of survival.
“We want the Government, the National Cancer Control Programme and organisations like the Irish Cancer Society to come together to take urgent action and implement measures that will improve the earlier diagnosis of lung and other cancers in Ireland.”