Persistent Cough Could be a Sign of Lung Cancer

A lung cancer campaign launched in Britain in order to reduce deaths due to the condition recommends that people who have had persistent cough for three weeks or more should contact their doctor. More than 28,000 lives are lost every year to lung cancer in Britain and health experts say that while the survival rates in other cancers have improved significantly over the last three decades, it has remained static in lung cancer. There are over 38,000 new lung cancer cases diagnosed every year and on an average, a patient lives for just five months after diagnosis making it the deadliest form of cancer.

One of the reasons for the low survival rate was because less than 15 percent of the cases were diagnosed in the ‘early stage’ during which the cancer can be treated through surgery, radiology or chemotherapy. This was because patients are generally unaware about the symptoms of the condition and often go to the doctors when their condition worsens completely.

With chronic cough being one of the main symptoms, the Be Clear on Cancer lung cancer campaign, which is aimed at people over 50 years of age, recommended that people who have persistent cough for three weeks or more should visit their doctors.

“More people die from lung cancer than any other cancer in England, but many people don't know the signs and symptoms that could save their lives. The message from this campaign is clear - if you have a persistent cough, go and see your doctor. The earlier lung cancer is diagnosed, the more likely that treatment will be successful”, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said.


Source-Medindia