Pharmacists at the front line in early detection of lung cancer
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Davan Eustace helps Gary Lineker to use a spirometer |
Pharmacists demonstrated that they are an important front-line health
service resource in the early detection of lung cancer at the launch
of Lung Cancer Awareness Month on 1 November, at Tottenham Hotspur
Football Club, White Hart Lane, London.
Lung Cancer Awareness Month is an annual event promoting the message
that early detection and treatment of the disease can save lives. At
the campaign launch, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society hosted a lung health “clinic” to
show how pharmacists can help alert people to the possible signs and
symptoms of lung cancer.
Visitors, including former football professional Gary Lineker, were tested
with a spirometer, to measure the way air is inspired and expired by
the lungs and give an indication of general lung health. Ann Keen MP,
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Services, also visited
the stand.
Graham Phillips, Society Council member and member of the Lung Cancer
Awareness Month Working Group convened by the Department of Health said: “The
lung cancer clinic offered a valuable opportunity to demonstrate to Government
and the general public that pharmacists are a valuable, accessible source
of important public health information and services.
“
The message is that pharmacists are ideally placed to detect early signs
and symptoms of lung cancer, offer advice and refer people to a GP when
appropriate. Early detection of lung cancer can help save lives and pharmacists
have a crucial role to play in this.”
Pharmacist Davan Eustace, a member of the Society’s Community Pharmacists
Group and the Society’s initial nominee on the Working Group, said: “As
cancer survival rates improve, cancer is no longer the death threat it
once was. Pharmacists are ideally placed both in terms of accessibility
and location to identify symptoms and refer early.“
“
A persistent cough is a typical early sign of lung cancer. Pharmacists
are likely to see more patients with a cough than other health professionals
and can have a key role in early referral, thereby saving many lives.”
Lung Cancer Awareness Month, now in its fifth year, was pioneered by
Macmillan Cancer Support and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation (see
also PJ, 3 November, p504).
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The
Pharmaceutical Journal