In York, 91 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010. It is the second most common form of premature death, especially in men, and kills more people than any other form of cancer.

Lung cancer has one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer because more than two-thirds of patients are diagnosed at a late stage when treatment that could cure is either not possible or is less effective. However, if diagnosed early, treatment can be successful and more lives can be saved.

Public Health England’s Be Clear on Cancer lung cancer campaign highlights the importance of going to your doctor if you have any of the symptoms of lung cancer, particularly a cough that lasts for three weeks or more. Other symptoms include repeated chest infections, coughing up blood, breathlessness, losing weight for no obvious reason or an ache or pain in your chest or shoulder that has lasted some time.

I would urge your readers to speak to their doctor if they have any of these symptoms, and to encourage any of their friends and family that they are concerned about to do the same. There is more information available at nhs.uk/lungcancer

Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, Director of Public Health and Wellbeing, City of York Council.