At present the guidelines for primary care referral in Scotland are being revised.
What would encourage people with worrying symptoms to present quickly at their GP?
What action would you/ have you seen GPs take to follow up on concerns or offer reassurance?
That early detection multiplies your chances . And that it takes just a not painful xray.
A G.P should send a person for an x-ray straight away and not put the cough down to a chemical allergy or asthma,mine may have been diagnosed sooner.
I agree with you x ray straight away. ive had breast cancer and kidney cancer back in 2002 and 03 but they sent me away with an inhaler which didnt work much then i went back and that was a bit better when they gave me brown inhaler. however it was only because the nurse realised that i had 2 different cancers before that i was sent for an x ray, a shadow was found, ive had another x ray i phoned for results and they said they are normal. But i just dont feel safe im wondering if i should have a scan or something. Or should i take their word that alls ok. Only there is a slight pain in my back but it could all be in my imagination x. How are you doing Lenora? I know when i felt pain in my back before after the breast cancer i was sent away but i went back and scan revealed kidney cancer, so awfull when you think early detection is vital .
If in the slightest doubt that there is something wrong, always err on the side of caution & request a simple X-Ray!
Or, why not an X-Ray every year. Can that be done on the NHS?
In retrospect I realise that my 'symptoms'were extreme tiredness & being light-headed first thing in the morning.
I agree with Lenora. My lung cancer may well have been detected much earlier had I been sent for an x-ray when I reported my coughing. Knowing what I know now, I should have asked for an x-ray. In the event, I was lucky enough to have a pneumonectomy which removed the cancer.
It has to be immediate x-ray and referral to a respiratory consultant. My x-ray did not show the tumour only NSILD. It was a CT scan than showed the tumour. My only symptoms were occasional night sweats also feeling chilled after playing golf. My GP had noticed my fingers were clubbed and said this was sometimes a sign of chest problems. This early intervention meant I was able to have the bottom lobe of my lung, with tumour, removed and chemo therefore giving me my life back. GP's must act sooner and patients must push them as well.
12 months I was backwards and forwards for cough chest infection. Each time steroids I was given. Then all the inhalers step by step. Then told you have COPD. The last two months my cough got very bad I finish a course of antibotics and steroids. Back to doctors and yeah I got another course of them both. The last month I was on 3 weeks of steroids but chest pains were getting wose still sent home. So I got up went to go,s and just said I don't want to see Dr....... They said we have a stand in doc. I was ok anyone but Dr ........ I walked in told him the history straight I was sent for X-ray boom shadow on lung that was nov/ dec had left upper lobe removed as I had stage2 b Cancer. And get this thought to have had it 18 months wow they defo missed that x
What are your views on lung cancer awareness activity by the government?What is your experience of lung cancer?Are you currently on Iressa? Would you be willing to talk about your experience on camera?Living in England and want to raise awareness about lung cancer?
Do you care for someone with lung cancer? 
