Giant lungs greet Hull shoppers in cancer awareness campaign

The lungs are on show as part of a month-long health campaign

A giant pair of inflatable lungs will greet shoppers in Hull on Wednesday as part of a cancer awareness campaign.

The unusual display at St Stephen's shopping centre kicks off a month-long nationwide tour during November.

A recent survey of over 2,000 adults in England found just 41% consult a GP if they had a cough for three weeks or more, a possible sign of lung cancer.

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation said the event aimed to reach people who may not realise they were at risk.

Chief executive Paula Chadwick said: "It is staggering that half of those surveyed still do not know how prevalent lung cancer is.

"We believe this stems from a reluctance to talk about lung cancer, and that is largely because of its links to smoking and associated stigma.

"That's why these events are so important. They give us the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with people who may not realise they are at risk, who may not recognise potential symptoms or may feel unable to act on them, or are too fearful to.

"If we can help one person in Hull get diagnosed earlier when lung cancer can often be treated with curative intent, then that is worth doing."

'Without delay'

Dr Dan Cottingham, Cancer Research UK GP Lead for Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance, said: "People diagnosed with lung cancer at the earliest stage are nearly 20 times more likely to survive for five years than those whose cancer is caught late.

"It is important to ensure people know what signs to look out for and to encourage anyone experiencing symptoms of lung cancer to contact their GP without delay."

The main symptoms of lung cancer include:

• A cough that doesn't go away after three weeks

• Recurring chest infections

• Coughing up blood

• An ache or pain when breathing or coughing

• Persistent breathlessness, tiredness or lack of energy

• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

Dr Cottingham said: "A lung health check can help to identify lung cancer and other respiratory diseases early, often before symptoms have occurred and when treatment could be simpler and more successful. I would urge anyone invited to take up the opportunity of a free lung health check - even if you feel fine."

The Let's Talk Lung Cancer roadshow will be at St Stephen's shopping centre in Hull from 10:00-16:00 GMT on Wednesday.

The Hull event is the first of 10 around the country during November. Other locations include Middlesbrough, Warrington, Leicester, London, Bournemouth, Rochdale, Morecambe, Sheffield and Leeds.