Don’t ignore symptoms, Be Clear on Cancer

PECIALIST advice is on hand for residents suffering from a persistent cough or breathlessness at awareness-raising roadshows in East Sussex.

The events are part of Public Health England’s ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign, backed by health bosses at East Sussex County Council, to highlight the symptoms of heart disease, lung cancer and lung disease.

The campaign, which runs throughout the summer, aims to raise awareness that getting out of breath doing things you used to be able to do, or having a cough that has lasted for three weeks or more, could be a sign of lung disease, including lung cancer. In the case of breathlessness, this can also be a sign of heart disease. It encourages people who experience these symptoms, to visit their doctor.

Cynthia Lyons, acting director of public health for East Sussex, said: “Getting out of breath doing things you used to be able to do, or suffering from a persistent cough, may be a sign of something more serious.

“We hope that the roadshow will give people the nudge they need to get these things checked out. “The symptoms you are experiencing may be nothing to worry about, but the earlier these diseases can be detected and treated, the greater the chance treatment will be successful so we recommend people see their GP if they are experiencing them.”