An NHS doctor has urged people not to ignore the vague, easy-to-miss signs that could point to lung cancer, the UK's biggest cancer killer. Speaking on a Channel 5 programme, GP Dr Kiran Morjaria explained that some warning symptoms appear subtle at first, which can delay people seeking help.
Vague symptoms to watch for
Dr Morjaria appeared on the show hosted by Storm Huntley and Alexis Conran as part of a national lung cancer awareness campaign. He 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."
The doctor also highlighted "persistent unexplained hoarseness" as a sign people often miss, noting it can be a symptom of several types of cancer, including lung cancer. He added that an important warning that should never be ignored is "coughing blood".
Campaign backed by soap star
Dr Morjaria was joined on the programme by Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, who spoke about her former co-star Leah Bracknell, who died of lung cancer in 2019. Riley, known for playing Mandy Dingle on the ITV soap, is backing the new 'Don't Delay – Every Breath Matters' campaign, launched off the back of research revealing widespread misconceptions and stigma around lung cancer.
Commissioned by specialist cancer care provider GenesisCare, the research found that 70% of people are unaware of all the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, while nearly half (49%) don't know that those who have never smoked can still develop the disease.
Lung cancer in the UK
Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK, with around 48,000 to 50,200 new cases diagnosed every year, according to Cancer Research UK. The charity adds that, while it is the third most common cancer, it is the UK's biggest cancer killer, responsible for about 35,000 deaths each year.
According to the NHS website, people may not notice any symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer. Common signs include a cough that is not going away, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, chest or shoulder pain, often having chest infections, losing weight without trying, not feeling hungry, and feeling tired all the time.
Less common symptoms may include swelling of the face or neck, difficulty swallowing, a hoarse voice that does not go away, or changes in the way the fingers look, known as clubbing, where fingertips may look wider than usual or curve downwards.
It is important to see a GP if you've had a cough for longer than three weeks or have any other symptoms of lung cancer. Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you've coughed up blood or noticed blood on a tissue you've coughed into.
