NHS Ayrshire & Arran has backed a campaign that hopes to alert people to the early signs of lung cancer.

The Scottish Government’s Settling In campaign urges people experiencing unusual breathlessness or a new or different persistent cough for more than three weeks to see their GP.

It is a part of the larger Detect Cancer Early initiative which hopes to increase the number of early cancer diagnoses.

Craig McArthur, director of East Ayrshire Health & Social Care partnership and primary care lead for Ayrshire, said: “Finding and treating cancer as early as possible remains a priority for the NHS in Scotland. If you have a possible symptom of lung cancer, I’d encourage you to contact your GP practice without delay.

“Your initial appointment may be over the phone, but you’ll be invited in for a face-to-face appointment if examination or tests are needed.”

Irvine Times: Poster for the Settling In campaignPoster for the Settling In campaign

Other signs and symptoms of lung cancer for those over forty include a persistent or different cough for three weeks or more, feeling breathless or more breathless than usual for no reason, a persistent or recurring chest infection, coughing up blood, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, chest/ shoulder pain, fatigue in smoker or ex-smoker, and a newly hoarse voice.

On average, 5,300 people were diagnosed with lung cancer last year making it Scotland’s most common cancer.

However, there are now record numbers of people surviving their illness, which has been correlated to the number of early diagnoses.

For more info about the signs and symptoms of lung cancer visit: getcheckedearly.org