Global Lung Cancer Coalition

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Lung Cancer – shocking statistics of the invisible disease

Time to care about lung cancer

Persistent coughing, chest pain, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chronic fatigue and repeated pneumonia are just some of the debilitating symptoms which lung cancer inflicts upon its victims. From their initial diagnosis, these people have on average less than 12 months to live and only fifteen in every hundred will survive longer than five years. The Global Lung Cancer Coalition say it is time to put lung cancer on the health agenda and this month marks the first Global Lung Cancer Awareness Campaign.

Lung cancer can affect anyone – including people who have never smoked. In 2000, this devastating disease claimed the lives of over one million men and women world-wide – more than breast, prostate and colorectal cancer put together. And yet, in terms of public awareness, lung cancer is like an invisible disease.

Launched by ALCASE¹ in the USA, this vital world-wide awareness campaign aims to lessen the stigma surrounding lung cancer, help educate and empower those people suffering from the disease and encourage more research. This year’s campaign will focus on the advances made in new treatment and early detection.

“As lung cancer continues to be the leading cancer killer in the developed world, it is vital that we continue to channel resources into screening for the disease. The earlier the disease is detected, the better the outcome for the patient” said Nadine Jelsing, ALCASE Interim Co-Executive Director. “We must see more investment into researching new treatments for lung cancer in the future and better access for patients to the best treatments currently available.” she continued.

Results from a large number of clinical trials recently presented in Europe and the USA, suggest exciting advances are being made - not only in developing effective new lung cancer treatments, but also in improving detection techniques.

Ms Jelsing concluded: “Lung Cancer Awareness means being well informed about the disease, being aware of its symptoms, knowing what treatments there are available and making sure that we all do as much as we can to fight this terrible disease.”

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1. The Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support and Education