Over a third of Irish People with Three or More Symptoms of Lung Cancer are Unconcerned

Lung cancer incidence continues to increase with 76 people diagnosed in Tipperary every year.

Wednesday, 20th of January 2016: Over a third of Irish adults who are currently experiencing three or more symptoms of lung cancer are unconcerned about being diagnosed with the disease, according to the Irish Cancer Society who today launched new research around attitudes to lung cancer among the Irish public. The research, which was commissioned by the Irish Cancer Society and carried out by Coyne Research, surveyed over 1,000 adults. It was launched to coincide with the start of the Society’s Lung Cancer Awareness Campaign which is supported by Medtronic and Eli Lilly. Lung cancer incidence continues to grow in Ireland with 76 people diagnosed in Tipperary in 2012.

This latest report from the Society reveals a number of barriers when it comes to the early detection of lung cancer which in turn can impact on survival rates and may be behind why the majority of lung cancer cases in Ireland continue to be diagnosed at a late stage. This includes a lack of awareness around the severity of the disease with just over a half of Irish adults unable to identify lung cancer as the leading cancer killer and a third of the public with three or more symptoms unconcerned about being diagnosed with lung cancer.

 

Lung health is rarely spoken of with 76 per cent of adults reporting that they have never had a conversation with their doctor or pharmacist on the topic. Further to this, 54 per cent of adults felt there were obstacles to going to their doctor about lung health, including fear (22%), expense (17%) and because they don’t think it is serious enough (19%). Over a fifth of adults (22%) and a third of smokers (32%) also said they would not go to their doctor as they would be afraid of what they would be told.

 

Despite this ambivalence to lung cancer, the disease continues to increase with 2,312 people diagnosed in Ireland in 2012. While the incidence in men is decreasing every year by one per cent, lung cancer in women continues to increase at a significant rate of two per cent each year. For the first time, lung cancer has now moved from 3rd place to 2nd place ahead of colorectal cancer when it comes to the most common cancers in Irish women*.

 

The majority of lung cancer patients are also diagnosed at a later stage when there may be fewer treatment options available. Between 2004 to 2008, 64 per cent of lung cancer patients were diagnosed at an advanced stage (stage three or stage four lung cancer)**. Lung cancer is also the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women comprising 18% of cancer deaths in women and 23% of cancer deaths in men during the period 2011-2012*.

 

Kevin O’Hagan, Cancer Prevention Manager at the Irish Cancer Society said: “Lung health needs to be taken seriously – we need Irish people to start talking about it and to consider it important enough to take action. Lung cancer can be treated once it is diagnosed at an early stage but unfortunately too many people don’t go to their doctor at a time when it would be most beneficial for them. We need doctors and pharmacists to keep lung cancer front of mind and to encourage their patients to maintain good lung health. When it comes to lung cancer, awareness and early detection are the key to survival.”

 

The Irish Cancer Society, with support from Medtronic, has developed an Online Lung Health Checker (available at www.cancer.ie/lung) to help the public find out if their lungs are in a healthy condition. The Online Lung Health Checker, also provides users with a printable letter which they can bring along to their doctor to help explain any symptoms.

 

O’Hagan continued: “We are inviting people in Tipperary to take our Online Lung Health Checker which is available on our website and to encourage friends and family to do the same. This will help you consider your lung health and to examine symptoms you may be experiencing. We want the public in Tipperary to take action and this is a simple way to do so.”

 

Bronwyn Brophy, Vice President, Early Technologies with Medtronic said: “The findings from the Irish Cancer Society’s research are a wake-up call for those affected or potentially affected by lung cancer, an extremely damaging and common form of cancer in Ireland. There is a clear need for greater awareness in this area to support early detection and higher survival rates. As a global leader in medical technology, services and solutions, Medtronic strives to improve the health and lives of millions of people each year. We are committed to partnering in new ways and developing powerful solutions that deliver better patient outcomes, so we are extremely pleased to support the valuable work of the Cancer Society, particularly its innovative Online Lung Health Checker.”

 

The Irish Cancer Society is reminding the public to get to know the signs and symptoms of lung cancer and to act quickly. With early detection, patients can have more effective treatment options and potential cures available to them. All patients can now be fast tracked through to early diagnosis and treatment through the Lung Cancer Rapid Access Clinics which are in operation in all eight of the designated cancer centres. This has resulted in a steady improvement in lung cancer survival from 10 per cent to 15 per cent over the last 15 years.

 

Anyone who is concerned about cancer should contact the Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Nurseline on 1800 200 700 to speak to a specialist cancer nurse who can offer information, advice and support. Visit www.cancer.ie/lung for further information on lung cancer and support available, to take the Online Lung Health Checker and to view the full report and infographic. Smokers looking to quit smoking can call the HSE Quit Team on Freephone 1800 201 203 or Freetext QUIT to 50100. Visit www.quit.ie where support is available from smoking cessation counsellors.

The signs and symptoms of lung cancer are:

A cough that doesn’t go away or a change in a long-term cough.

Feeling short of breath or wheezing.

Repeated chest infections that won’t go away even after antibiotics.

Coughing up blood-stained phlegm (sputum).

Pain in your chest, especially when you cough or breathe in.

Feeling more tired than usual and/or unexplained weight loss.

Hoarse voice, problems swallowing or swelling in the face or neck.

The main research findings include:

Just under half (47 per cent) of Irish adults could identify lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in Ireland; this was highest amongst those aged 18-24 (52 per cent).

Smoking (94%), second-hand smoke (63%) and asbestos/chemical exposure (55%) were the main causes which people associated with lung cancer.

Shortness of breath/wheezing/breathing problem (46%) was the symptom which 46 per cent of adults knew could be a sign of lung cancer.Half of Irish adults and around 3 in 10 smokers claim to be unconcerned about the disease.

54% said they would not go to their doctor if they had one or more symptoms of lung cancer due to fear (22%), expense of doctor’s visit (17%) , because it is not serious enough (18%) and a range of other reasons. Meanwhile, 46 per cent said nothing would stop them going to their doctor if they were experiencing symptoms of lung cancer.

Around 2 in 5 (39%) have or know someone with lung cancer with 1 in 4 having a family member or friend who has or had lung cancer.

Circa 1 in 5 Irish adults have spoken to a pharmacist and/or doctor about their lung health. This was higher amongst those aged 65+ (26%). 75% said they had never spoken about their lung health with a pharmacists and/or doctor.

Reduce the Risk of Lung Cancer

Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. Not smoking or quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do to avoid getting lung cancer.

The main causes of lung cancer include:

Cigarettes: Most lung cancers (90 to 95%) are due to smoking. The risk of getting lung cancer is directly linked to the number of cigarettes smoked every day and the years spent smoking.

Pipes/cigars: If you smoke cigars or pipes, you have a lower risk than cigarette smokers, but you are still at a higher risk than non-smokers.

Low tar cigarettes: If you smoke low tar cigarettes, you do not have a lower risk, as these smokers tend to inhale quite deeply.

Cannabis: It is believed that cannabis smoking can do the same damage to the lungs as cigarette smoking.

Passive smoking: This also increases your risk of developing lung cancer, although not as much as a smoker.

Asbestos exposure: Being exposed to asbestos over a long time can cause mesothelioma. This is a cancer of the lining of the lungs.

Radon: Radon is a gas found normally in the soil. Being exposed to high levels of radon has been linked to lung cancer.

For more information, including a map outlining areas with high levels of radon, visit www.epa.ie./radiation