Irish people are ignoring worrying lung cancer symptoms due to the cost of visiting a GP.
A new study revealed that cost is the main barrier for people not visiting their doctors to get early symptoms checked. Three in five also said their financial situation is worse now than it was 12 months ago, according to an Irish Cancer Society survey of 1,000 people by Core Research.
The survey also found that one in two people are not confident in spotting the early signs of lung cancer, with younger people being least aware of the signs and symptoms of this serious disease. In Ireland, almost 2,700 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year.
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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the country, with around 1,800 people dying from the disease annually.
Irish Cancer Society is running a free Lung Health Roadshow in shopping centres throughout the country this November. The aim of the Roadshow is to help the public identify symptoms they should not ignore and to reduce the likelihood of cost as a barrier to healthcare.
These nurse-led pop-up clinics will be held in shopping centres in Navan, Letterkenny and Dundalk this month and travel to other parts of the country throughout the year.
Some of the common symptoms of lung cancer include wheezing or difficulty breathing, a cough that doesn’t go away or a change in a long-term cough, repeated chest infections that won’t go away, even after antibiotics, and coughing up blood-stained phlegm.
Rachel Morrogh, Director of Advocacy and External Affairs at the Irish Cancer Society said: “It is upsetting to think that people with symptoms of lung cancer are not seeking medical help because of concerns about cost. To address this, the Irish Cancer Society has put in place pop-up clinics where the public can have an initial conversation about their lung and general health."
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