A local Asian pharmacist joined the ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ roadshow in Manchester’s Arndale to urge South Asians to be aware of the symptoms of lung cancer, lung disease and heart disease.
Khalid Ahmed, superintendent pharmacist and director of Your UK Pharmacy, Manchester which supported the roadshow said: “As pharmacists we have a vital role in supporting this campaign. We know that early diagnosis of these conditions has the potential to save lives and improve the quality of life for those living with long term conditions.”
The Be Clear on Cancer roadshow, part of a new Public Health England campaign, visited the Arndale Centre in Manchester on 17th and 18th August to raise awareness that a persistent cough, or getting out of breath doing everyday things, such as vacuuming or walking up a short flight of stairs, could be a sign of lung cancer or other lung disease.
Breathlessness can also be a sign of heart disease. The event encouraged anyone who notices these symptoms to visit their GP as finding these conditions early makes them more treatable.
The most recent data reveals that in Greater Manchester, around 2,320 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year and around 65,250 people have been diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – a common form of lung disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis). Around 101,530 have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease.
Early diagnosis of these conditions has the potential to save lives and improve the quality of life of those living with long-term conditions, such as COPD. The earlier heart disease is diagnosed the better – treatment can help manage the symptoms and reduce the chance of a heart attack.
As part of the campaign, a new film has been released that features real people sharing their personal experience of their conditions and a GP highlighting the signs and symptoms associated with these diseases.
The film can be viewed at http://po.st/FTSYVt and is also available in Hindi and Bengali. It will be aired across Black and Asian TV channels from Thursday 21st July and will run until 31st October.
For further information about the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, lung disease and heart disease, google search ‘Be Clear on Cancer’.
