New lung cancer awareness campaign launches in UK

The Department of Health is to raise awareness of lung cancer among older people with the launch of the next phase of its NHS Be Clear on Cancer campaign.

Adverts featuring real GPs will be seen on TV, print and radio until mid-August 2013 as part of this new initiative, while face-to-face events will also be held in shopping centres across the country.

Aimed primarily at men and women over the age of 50, the campaign aims to educate people on the signs and symptoms of lung cancer and to encourage people with a persistent cough to see their GP early.

Currently, almost 24,000 people a year in England receive a lung cancer diagnosis when the disease has progressed to a late stage, with only 15 percent of cases being caught early.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "The message from this campaign is clear – if you have a persistent cough, go and see your doctor. The earlier lung cancer is diagnosed, the more likely that treatment will be successful."

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancer types in the UK, with an estimated 40,800 new cases being diagnosed in England and Wales every year.