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 have 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.
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*.
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.
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. Visitwww.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.