This November marks Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
The national Lung Cancer charity Roy Castle is calling for people to drop the taboos and to have an open and honest conversation about lung cancer.
The campaign, which is called ‘Follow My Lead’ and believes that every cancer diagnosis is different and so is everyone’s way of managing their diagnosis.
Together we need to find a better way to approach conversations with people living with lung cancer and their families. We are in an era where Lung Cancer does not mean death, people are living for longer with the disease and many survive it.
The charity spoke to many people living with Lung Cancer and they most disliked terms that suggested or conveyed pity, inclyding ‘I feel so sorry for you’, closely followed by ‘you’re so brave’, ‘a victim’ and ‘lost their fight’. Many also resented having their life-partner described as their ‘carer’.
“When I tell people I have lung cancer, one of the most common responses is ‘I know someone who died of that!’ Then they launch into graphic detail. I know it’s an attempt at empathy but really, that’s not the thing to say.”
SOPHIE SABBAGE, LIVING WITH LATE STAGE LUNG CANCER
You can learn more about RCLF pledge here https://www.roycastle.org/lung-cancer-awareness-month-cut-the-cliches-and-follow-my-lead/
Embed video of Brian’s Lung Cancer Story: https://www.roycastle.org/i-am-still-here-brians-lung-cancer-story/
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer. Around 47,000 people are diagnosed with the condition every year in the UK.
There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer, but many people with the condition eventually develop symptoms including:
- a persistent cough
- coughing up blood
- persistent breathlessness
- unexplained tiredness and weight loss
- an ache or pain when breathing or coughing
You should see a GP if you have these symptoms.
Source: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lung-cancer/
