The Irish Cancer Society has expressed concern about the number of people who may notice worrying changes in their lung health, but fail to seek medical help.

It was responding to the results of a new survey, which found that in the last three months, around one in seven people have put off seeking medical advice despite feeling unwell.

Furthermore, among those who have not sought advice, half are still experiencing symptoms, but have still not made an appointment to see a GP.

Reasons for not seeking medical advice included:

-Not thinking the issue was serious enough

-Not wanting to bother their GP

-Concerns over personal safety amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The society is highlighting the issue as part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, which runs throughout January. According to the latest available data from the National Cancer Registry Ireland, six in 10 lung cancers are diagnosed at stage III or IV.

“People who develop symptoms of lung cancer tend to be reluctant to come forward. This can be due to concerns about a poor outcome if a lung cancer is found. However, more than 20 new treatments have been developed for lung cancer in the last five to 10 years and these treatments have resulted in major improvements for our patients,” commented consultant thoracic oncologist at  Beaumont Hospital, Dr Jarushka Naidoo.

She emphasised that treatment for early stage lung cancer “is given with the goal of cure”.

Also commenting on the findings, the society’s director of advocacy, Rachel Morrogh, said that the increased focus on respiratory issues as a result of Covid-19 “offers an opportunity to talk about lung health”.

“We don’t yet know what the impact of the pandemic will be on the stage of diagnosis of cancer, but we do not want to go backwards. The stated objective of the Cancer Strategy is to increase the number of cancers diagnosed at stage I and II - we can’t lose sight of this,” she insisted.

Séamus Cotter, who received a lung cancer diagnosis in 2016, pointed out that if he had not sought help when he did, he would not have had access to the clinical trial that ultimately ended up saving his life. 

“Not thinking your concern is serious enough is never a good enough reason to avoid looking after your health, particularly with lung cancer as time is so important,” he said.

Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Ireland, with almost 2,700 people being diagnosed every year.

The survey of 1,000 people was carried out by Core Research on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society.