Emmerdale star Lisa Riley has joined an NHS GP to urge Brits to be aware of lung cancer, one of the UK's biggest killer cancers. The condition often presents symptoms that can go unnoticed in the early stages, and early treatment could be the difference between life and death.
Doctor highlights easily missed symptoms
Appearing on the Channel 5 programme Storm and Alexis, presented by Storm Huntley and Alexis Conran, NHS GP Dr Kiran Morjaria shared lung cancer symptoms that may be easily missed. Certain warning signs can seem unrelated at first, which delays how promptly people typically seek medical attention.
The doctor said: "I think so many of us think [that] this is a thing that won't happen to me. The symptoms we're looking out for really are a persistent cough that's not going away, night sweats, fatigue, so really, really vague symptoms. If you're having these symptoms, it's worth seeing your doctor."
He said that a symptom people frequently overlook is "persistent unexplained hoarseness", reports the Mirror. He told the show hosts that this can indicate several forms of cancer, including lung cancer.
Campaign to encourage early recognition
Dr Morjaria emphasised that a crucial warning that must never be dismissed is "coughing blood". He was joined on the programme by Lisa Riley, who discussed her former co-star Leah Bracknell, who passed away from lung cancer in 2019.
The ITV regular, best known for portraying Mandy Dingle on the soap, is supporting a campaign to encourage people to recognise the signs early. The new 'Don't Delay – Every Breath Matters' campaign has been launched following new research which highlights common misconceptions and stigma surrounding lung cancer.
Lisa said: "Leah was the epitome of fitness. She was a yoga instructor. She would do retreats, breathwork, and peaceful living. And yet, at the age she died, she had lung cancer. So, with all that, I just really wanted to get involved in this campaign with Genesis Care because they're amazing. They're putting it out there that it is the speed after seeing the GP and then after diagnosis, how we need to help people moving forward."
Research and statistics on lung cancer
Commissioned by specialist cancer care provider GenesisCare, the study found that 70% of people are unaware of all the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, while nearly half (49%) do not realise that those who have never smoked can still develop the disease.
Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, with approximately 48,000 to 50,200 new cases diagnosed annually, according to Cancer Research UK. The charity adds that, while it ranks as the third most common cancer, it remains the UK's biggest cancer killer, accounting for around 35,000 deaths each year.
Symptoms of lung cancer and how to get checked
According to the NHS website, people may not notice any symptoms during the early stages of lung cancer. However, spotting when something is not right could result in treatment beginning much sooner, and common signs include:
- a cough that is not going away
- shortness of breath
- coughing up blood
- chest or shoulder pain
- often having chest infections, or having a chest infection that is not getting better
- losing weight without trying
- not feeling hungry (loss of appetite)
- feeling tired all the time
Less common symptoms of lung cancer may include swelling of your face or neck, difficulty swallowing, a hoarse voice that does not go away or changes in the appearance of your fingers. This is known as clubbing, where your fingertips may appear wider than usual or curve downwards.
It is crucial to see a GP if you have experienced a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks or are displaying any other indicators of lung cancer. Request an urgent GP appointment or seek assistance from NHS 111 if you have coughed up blood or spotted blood on a tissue after coughing.
