Efforts to thoroughly investigate everythinglung cancer The screening program for Wales has been warmly welcomed by charities, but some say there is “still a long way to go”.
Cancer Research UK has launched a petition calling for lung cancer screening for people aged 55 to 74 who are at high risk of lung cancer.
This follows the recommendation of the UK National Review Panel, which has been accepted by the Welsh Government. public health in wales “We are looking at how this can be achieved in Wales.”
But Simon Seales, the charity’s Wales communications manager, said: “There is a huge gap between implementation and scoping.”
He further added: Welsh Government “While we agree in principle with this review, we are keen to make this a reality and that is why we have started the petition,” said Simon Shears.
“More than 200,000 screening scans have been carried out in the UK.
“We currently only have a small pilot program in place at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, which is great, but we are keen to scale this up and roll it out to the rest of Wales. I really hope so.”
The pilot program currently underway in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area aims to offer lung screening scans to around 500 patients.
A general practitioner in north Ronda is identifying patients aged between 60 and 74 who are or have smoked in the past.
Across Wales, analysis from Cancer Research UK estimates that around 1,000 lives could be saved over the next 10 years if just 50% of people invited to attend lung cancer screening took part. Masu.
“Long-term survival rates for lung cancer in the UK are not much better than they were 50 years ago,” added Mr Seeles.
“This is unacceptable when evidence shows that early diagnosis through targeted lung cancer screening could help extend healthy lifespans for hundreds of people.”
Cancer Research UK petition It will gather enough signatures to spark a debate on the issue in the Senedd.
Mr Seales told ITV Wales how lung cancer had directly affected his family.
“In fact, my grandfather passed away from lung cancer in 2007, and I lost one of my parents to the disease in 2015.
“Both are diagnosed at a later stage after the cancer has spread, and with almost half of lung cancer patients being diagnosed at stage 4, I know many families across Wales are reflecting this. I am.
“This is one of the reasons we started the petition: to highlight that there is something we can do to alleviate this harm.”
The main symptoms of lung cancer are:
Cough doesn’t go away even after 3 weeks
A long-lasting cough gets worse
Chest infections that keep coming back
cough and vomit blood
Pain or pain when breathing or coughing
persistent shortness of breath
Persistent fatigue or lack of energy
Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
Tenovus Cancer Care also welcomed the Welsh Government’s commitment on Monday.
The group has been campaigning for a national program since the recommendations were made by the UK National Review Panel last year.
Chief Executive Judy Rees said: “Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer in Wales and far too many people die because it is diagnosed late. However, a diagnosis of lung cancer need not be a death sentence.”
“If detected early, survival rates improve dramatically and this is proven by overwhelming evidence.
“This is a big step, but there is still a long way to go. We are far behind the UK, which has tested thousands of patients and detected cancer at an earlier and much more treatable stage. ing.”
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