Tracey took part in a unique parliamentary photographic exhibition to raise awareness of lung cancer, and highlight the low survival rates in Medway. The exhibition is a joint project between the charity Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and pharmaceutical company Boehringher Ingelheim. 

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation published a report last year that showed a postcode lottery exists in lung cancer, and the poor survival rates for lung cancer patients in Medway not only highlight this starkly but perhaps reflect long term outcomes from its industrial past.

The attached table below shows how Medway and West Kent compare nationally.

Tracey said “There may be many reasons why our local lung cancer survival rates are lower than the national average but I am sure that our higher rate of deaths from Mesothelioma plays a significant part. This makes research, increased awareness and appropriate expenditure ever more important”.  

Paula Chadwick, interim chief executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said:”Every 15 minutes somebody in the UK dies from lung cancer. Although we’ve recently seen some improvements in survival rates there is still so much to be done. 

“This exhibition will help to raise awareness among parliamentarians of three key issues: supporting the introduction of a national lung cancer awareness publicity campaign; tackling regional variations in treatment and care; and backing plans to introduce plain packaging on cigarettes in order to prevent the next generation of lung cancer victims.” 

John Dixon, Boehringer Ingelheim UK and Ireland’s Managing Director commented: “Boaeringer Ingelheim is proud to have worked in partnership with Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. We have had a fantastic response from parliamentarians who wanted to participate and raise awareness of this devastating disease and issues around early diagnosis, signs and symptoms and access to treatments. The exhibition is a means of highlighting to politicians and the wider public how early detection and diagnosis is key in the treatment and management of this disease for patients, their families and carers.”

The main signs and symptoms of  lung cancer are: 

·         A cough that doesn’t go away after two or three weeks

·         Worsening or change to long standing cough

·         Repeated chest infections

·         Coughing up blood

·         Unexplained persistent breathlessness

·         Unexplained persistent tiredness

·         Unexplained persistent weight loss

·         Persistent chest and/or shoulder pain

If you have any of these symptoms for more than three weeks, make an appointment with your GP today. It may be nothing serious but is always worth getting checked.

For more information on local support groups and general information on lung cancer issues call the free phone helpline on 0800358700 or visit www.roycastle.org.