Early diagnosis saves lives

Symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough, breathlessness, recurrent chest infection, back or shoulder pain, fatigue, hoarseness, or swelling in the face or neck. If you see persistent or unexplained symptoms on your patients, please consider referring them for a chest Xray under the Faster Diagnosis Standard.

Brenda, 64 / Never-smoker / Symptom: Persistent cough
Jaber, 37 / Never-smoker / Symptoms: Persistent cough, Breathlessness
Mark, 49 / Occasional smoker / Symptoms: Back pain, Breathlessness
Amelia, 26 / Non-smoker / Symptoms: Back pain, Persistent cough
Debbie, 46 / Never-smoker / Symptom: Swelling in neck
Pete, 50 / Never-smoker / Symptom: Recurrent chest infection
Razia, 37 / Never-smoker / Symptoms: Persistent chest & rib pain
Cameron, 52 / Never-smoker / Symptoms: Fatigue, Persistent cough
Faye, 28 / Never-smoker / Symptoms: Back pain, Persistent cough

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with only 16% of patients expected to survive more than five years, and over half being diagnosed with advanced metastatic disease. It can affect anyone, smokers and non-smokers alike, with lung cancer in never-smokers now the UK’s 8th most common cause of cancer-related death. Early investigation and referral is the key to improving outcomes.

Lung cancer in non-smokers is the 8th most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the UK. Early detection is crucial; if you see persistence of unexplained symptoms in your patients, please consider X-ray referral under the Faster Diagnosis Standard.

Only 16% of lung cancer patients survive beyond five years; early investigation and referral are essential to improving outcomes. As a healthcare professional, your proactive approach can make all the difference.

When certain symptoms are persistent, it could be a sign of lung cancer.
Chances are it’s nothing serious but early diagnosis can improve chances of survival.

Questions for professionals

General Practitioners

Do you ever consider lung cancer as a possible diagnosis and refer patients for chest x-ray when presented with persistent or unexplained symptoms, even if the patient has never smoked or is young?

Physiotherapists

Do you ever encourage clients with unexplained or persistent back and/or shoulder pain to visit their GP for lung cancer screening?

Pharmacists

Do you ever encourage clients who present with persistent symptoms and regularly purchase over the counter remedies to speak to their GP about it?

Resources for primary care professionals

Lung Cancer in Never-Smokers

2019 article from the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine on the incidence of lung cancer in never-smokers

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Early Diagnosis Matters report

Report from the UKLCC’s Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) making the case for early and rapid diagnosis.

Download pdf

NICE guidelines NG 12

Advice on lung cancer diagnosis and management in both small-cell and non-small cell lung cancer.

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GatewayC

Recommendations on differentiating symptoms by the Clinical Expert Group for lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Lung cancer and Covid-19

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Primary Care Respiratory Society

Support focused on developing a holistic, high value approach to caring for people with respiratory conditions.

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Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Utilising community pharmacists to support people with cancer, a guide on how community pharmacists can support early diagnosis and screening of cancers.

Download pdf

Primary Care Respiratory Society, Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Article and webinar on See Through The Symptoms campaign.

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Lung cancer in never smokers with Dr Fabio Gomes: The ALK +mutation in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Dr Fabio Gomes, a Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, discusses lung cancer in never smokers

Podcast

Back pain as an indication of lung cancer

When Back Pain Turns Deadly: An Unusual Presentation of Lung Cancer – ScienceDirect, by Vasser, M. and Koroscil, M, 2020

Read article

GatewayC is a free online cancer education platform developed for primary care professionals across England aiming to improve cancer outcomes by facilitating earlier diagnosis and improving patient experience

Visit site

All You Need is Lungs 2024 – Raising Awareness for Everyone

The Ruth Strauss Foundation, ALK Positive UK, and EGFR Positive UK have come together to launch All You Need is Lungs 2024—a campaign aimed at raising public awareness that lung cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age or smoking history.

Through real-life stories shared by patients, this campaign sheds light on the often subtle symptoms of lung cancer, emphasising the need for timely action and understanding. By highlighting these diverse journeys, we hope to challenge misconceptions and inspire earlier interventions.

All You Need is Lungs Website

Jenny, 47, diagnosed with EGFR+ Stage IV Lung Cancer

Carla, 44, diagnosed with Stage I EGFR+ after a routine scan

Christine, 72, a misdiagnosis during the COVID pandemic led to a Stage IV EGFR+ lung cancer diagnois

Callum, a 27 year old never smoker, was diagnosed with Stage IV ALK+ lung cancer at 25.

Jade, aged 32, was misdiagnosed for years before being told she had Stage IV ALK+ lung cancer.

Harriet, a 35 year old never smoker, had headaches and fatigue which led to her Stage IV ALK+ lung cancer diagnosis.

Organisations that can support your patients

EGFR Positive UK

Specialist lung cancer charity focused on supporting and improving the overall survival and quality of life of EGFR positive patients across the UK.

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ALK Positive UK

Lung cancer charity specialising in providing support, advocacy, and a better quality of life for all ALK positive lung cancer patients across the United Kingdom.

Visit site