Ellesmere Port volunteers campaigning to raise awareness of lung cancer rates

COMMUNITY volunteers are campaigning to reduce the number of lung cancer deaths as part of major new health project.

The Be Clear on Cancer campaign is part of a national initiative supported by the Department of Health and Cancer Research UK.

At the heart of the project is a group of community champions, everyday people from Ellesmere Port, who have volunteered to help improve lung cancer survival rates in the town.

The earlier lung cancer is diagnosed the better and there are three key symptoms that should be checked out by the GP:

Having a new and persistent cough for three weeks or more

Being constantly short of breath

Coughing blood

There are 187 deaths from lung cancer in Western Cheshire each year and Ellesmere Port has been prioritised as an area with particularly high incidence where there is a real opportunity to reduce cancer deaths and improve lives.

Sarah Johnson Griffiths, Public Health Consultant for NHS Western Cheshire said: “Lung cancer is a real problem for the people who live and work in Ellesmere Port but by consulting their GP early, the likelihood of surviving the illness is very good.”