November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
(Ottawa) November 13, 2013 – More than one in five people are unable to name any symptoms of the world's biggest cancer killer, according to a global survey published today. The research 1, which was carried out by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Global Lung Cancer Coalition, investigated awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer and smoking prevalence in 21 countries including Canada.
Researchers found that across all the countries, 22% of people surveyed admitted they could not name any symptoms of lung cancer, which claims the lives of 1.37 million people globally every year 2. Of the Canadians surveyed, awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer is broadly in-line with overall trends, with around half identifying breathlessness as a symptom (49%),
"It's clear from this survey that there's a lot of work to be done in raising awareness about the symptoms of lung cancer," says Debra Lynkowski, president and CEO of the Canadian Lung Association, which is a member of The Global Lung Cancer Coalition.
In 2013, an estimated 25,500 Canadians will be diagnosed with lung cancer and 20,200 will die of it. In Canada, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women, taking the lives of more Canadians than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined 3.
While there are several known risk factors for lung cancer, including radon exposure,asbestos exposure and air pollution, tobacco use is the leading cause of lung cancer.
In comparison with other countries surveyed, Canada has a relatively low proportion of current smokers (16%), but has the highest proportion of former smokers (31%). "Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to lower your risk of lung cancer," says Mary-Pat Shaw, vice-president of national programs for the CLA. "But everyone, including those who have quit smoking, should monitor their lung health."
Dr Matthew Peters, chair of The Global Lung Cancer Coalition, which is made up of 31 non-government patient organizations across the globe, says: "Patients are often diagnosed with lung cancer at a very late stage when treatment is no longer an option.
"If we can get patients diagnosed earlier, we can treat them and save lives. That is why being aware of the symptoms is so important."
The report found lack of awareness of lung cancer symptoms varied between different countries. Egyptian (48%), Argentinean (42%), Mexican (35%) and Portuguese (33%) respondents are most likely to say they couldn't name any symptoms. At the other end of the spectrum, fewer than one in ten French (seven per cent) and Irish (nine per cent) people are unable to name any symptoms.
Overall, breathlessness was the most commonly identified symptom (41% of respondents mentioned it spontaneously on average across the countries) but a similar proportion identified a cough or coughing (39% on average across the countries). Others mentioned more specific types of coughing such as coughing blood or a cough that gets worse.
About the survey
Between 500 and 1204 respondents were interviewed in each country, either face-to-face or by telephone (omnibus survey), in between June and August 2013 4. Data have been weighted to the known population profile of each country.
The survey was conducted across Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United States.
Please note that overall figures are calculated by taking the average across the 21 countries.
About the Global Lung Cancer Coalition
Created in 2001, the Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC) is an international group of patient organizations dedicated to supporting the needs of lung cancer patients. The GLCC is also the first truly international patient alliance to promote global understanding of the burden of lung cancer and the rights of patients to effective early detection, better treatment and supportive care. The Canadian member organizations of the GLCC are the Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada (www.canceradvocacy.ca), The Canadian Lung Association (www.lung.ca) and Lung Cancer Canada (www.lungcancercanada.ca).
About the Canadian Lung Association
Established in 1900, The Lung Association is one of Canada's oldest and most respected health charities, and the leading national organization for science-based information, research, education, support programs and advocacy on lung heath issues. For more information, visit www.lung.ca or call us toll-free at 1-888-566-5864. Join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @canlung.
