MACMILLAN Cancer Support is urging the public to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the UK’s most lethal cancer during lung cancer awareness month.

More than 35,000 people in the UK die from lung cancer every year, but the charity says it does not have to be a death sentence.

Jane Douglass, lead lung clinical nurse specialist based at Swindon's Great Western Hospital, said: "On average, 119 people receive a diagnosis of lung cancer every day in the UK, and whilst the survival rates are poor, the important thing to remember is that if caught early enough it is treatable."

More than three-quarters of lung cancer patients have said they were unaware of the signs and symptoms which means many are being diagnosed too late for curative treatment.

Common symptoms often displayed by patients with lung cancer include:

• A continuing cough, or change in a long-standing cough;

• Becoming breathless and wheezy;

• Coughing up bloodstained phlegm (sputum);

• Chest or shoulder pain;

• Weight loss;

• A chest infection that does not get better;

• A hoarse voice;

• A dull ache or sharp pain when you cough or take a deep breath;

• Difficulty swallowing;

• Feeling extremely tired (fatigue) and lethargic;

• The ends of fingers becoming larger or looking more rounded (clubbing);

• Swelling of lymph nodes (glands) in the neck area;

These symptoms can all be caused by other illnesses too, but if they occur for three weeks or more people are advised to speak to their GP about them.

Jane added: "There is also a misconception that lung cancer only affects smokers but this isn’t the case - in fact more than one in ten cases are not linked to smoking at all."

Anyone who would like to support Macmillan in Wiltshire, should contact the Fundraising Support Centre on 0300 1000 200 or email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk