A DORCHESTER GP wants to see better awareness of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer in a bid to save lives.

Dr Paul Barks - a Macmillan GP in Dorchester - is supporting Lung Cancer Awareness month.

The call follows Macmillan’s analysis in March which identified UK survival rates lagging behind some other European countries.

Dr Barks said: "GPs are doing an amazing job in driving down the rates of cancers being diagnosed in the emergency room. Increasing access to diagnostic testing for GPs is one way of picking up even more cancers at an earlier stage".

Macmillan GPs are practising GPs who the lead way in pushing for better cancer care in their area with weekly sessions, supported by the charity.
They do this by working closely with other health and social care professionals to improve standards and raise awareness.

For Dr Barks, this means helping create a more effective dialogue between GPs and consultants in the region.

"Some of the work I do involves educational events, study days, practice visits and GP and consultant ‘speed dating’ sessions. Here they can exchange helpful tips and focus on putting the patient at the heart of everything we do. In our most recent session we were encouraging practitioners to spend a day in each other’s shoes. Events like this have been really successful," he said.

Across the country Macmillan GPs like Paul are doing the best they can to support GPs in making early diagnoses.

The early symptoms of lung cancer can often be confused with other illnesses associated with this time of the year. It is likely that a persistent cough could be associated with a winter virus, however there is a slim chance that this is an early sign of lung cancer. The top three signs to look out for are a persistent cough/change in cough pattern, coughing up blood, or chest pain.

"Sometimes the tabloid press can be misleading", said Dr Barks, "Often it is only people who smoke and ex-smokers presented as lung cancer patients. It is not only those who smoke who are at risk and it is important that everyone can learn some of the best ways to check their bodies for early signs and symptoms. There has been a shift in the nation; emergency diagnosis is falling, but it is still too high. It’s flabbergasting how much difference an early diagnosis can make".

Figures show that currently, almost 40 per cent of diagnoses are still occurring following emergency admission to hospital.

If you have any worries or questions about lung cancer, visit macmillan.org.uk or call Macmillan free on 0808 808 00 00.