Those going through lung cancer and their carers are encouraged to access the latest information from medical specialists in a non judgemental environment by calling 13 11 20 during the State’s first Lung Cancer Call-in being held between 6 pm and 9 pm tonight.

Council chief executive Associate Professor Brenda Wilson said only four per cent of enquires to the Helpline each year were about lung cancer.

“This compares to 22 per cent of enquiries about breast cancer and yet similar numbers of people are diagnosed annually with each cancer,” she said.

 

“Anyone displaying symptoms such as persistent coughing, shortness of breath, blood stained phlegm, chest pain often made worse by deep breathing and bouts of pneumonia or bronchitis, should phone the call-in or see their GP.”

 

Forty-one year old mother of two, Sharon Taylor, has been battling lung cancer and has experienced the stigma associated with the disease.

“Lung cancer can be an isolating experience and sometimes it’s hard to get the information and support you need,” she said. “To be able to simply make a call and speak to specialists during the Lung Cancer Call-in is a great opportunity to find out the latest information about lung cancer, treatment and support services.”

Ms Taylor was diagnosed with lung cancer three years ago.“I began smoking when I was 14 years old, I simply wasn’t aware of the dangers that we all know about today,” she said.

 

“I always said I would give up smoking before I was 40 and therefore I believed I wouldn’t run the risk of developing lung cancer. I was diagnosed at age 38.

“My prognosis wasn’t good, but I sought out the latest information and gained access to a new treatment and I am here three years later.”

 

Associate Professor Brenda Wilson said between 75 and 90 per cent of lung cancers were caused by smoking.

“But people can also develop the illness from exposure to occupational carcinogens, and in a small number of cases people with no obvious risk factor may also develop the disease,” she said.

 

“The Lung Cancer Call-in is an opportunity for people with concerns or those wanting to know more about lung cancer to find out the latest information from medical experts.”

Additional statistics:
 About 800 South Australians are diagnosed with lung cancer each year
 Lung cancer is most common in adults aged between 40 and 70 years who have smoked for about 20 years

   or more
 It’s the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in South Australia
 Smoking is responsible for more than 75 per cent of lung cancers
 Those who begin smoking as a teenager are at 2-3 times greater risk of developing lung cancer than those

   who started later in life.

 

 

Media contact: Jessica Playford on 8291 4119 or 0400 855 244
The Cancer Council South Australia 202 Greenhill Road Eastwood Ph. 8291 4111 Fx 8291 4122