The Big Check Up -'Look Out For Lung Cancer'

Lung cancer still claims more lives in Ireland each year among both men and women than any other cancer. Every 18 seconds, someone, somewhere in the world dies of lung cancer, it is the leading cause of cancer deaths globally.

In Ireland, more than 2,500 people receive a devastating lung cancer diagnosis each year. Overall,  24% of those diagnosed with the disease will survive more than 5 years. The majority of lung cancer patients are diagnosed at stage 3 or stage 4, meaning that treatment options are limited, and survival rates are lower.

Yet awareness of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer remains worryingly low.

In 2023, research carried out by Empathy on behalf of the Foundation shows that more than two thirds (71%) of people in Ireland say they feel uninformed about the signs and symptoms to watch out for in relation to lung cancer, while more than one third of adults (36%) admit that not knowing the symptoms would delay them from getting checked by their GP. Read this research HERE

As part of this year's campaign, we are urging people to look out for lung cancer.   If you have a cough lasting longer than three weeks, are short of breath, have recurring chest infections or are coughing up blood, then please go to your GP.  New treatments and medicines can potentially cure lung cancer when the disease is caught in the earlier stages, at Stage 1 or 2. Read the press release HERE.

We are also renewing our call for the Government to introduce a national lung cancer screening programme, similar to existing screening programmes for breast, bowel, and cervical cancers, to detect cancer earlier and to help save lives. We are asking the public to sign our petition . 

Tobacco use is the leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for approximately 85% of all cases. However, approximately 10–15% of lung cancers in Western countries occur in non-smokers. Other risk factors and causes of lung cancer include passive smoking, exposure to chemicals and radon gas, family history and genetics. If you have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, who has had lung cancer, your risk of lung cancer is higher. Some experts estimate that a genetic predisposition to lung cancer contributes to approximately 8% of cases. Some of these genetic risk factors are inherited while others are not.

Find out about Cancer Genetics HERE.

Facts about Lung Cancer:

• Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in Ireland, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer
• Smoking tobacco is the most common cause of lung cancer and changes in smoking behaviours affect risk over time
• Lung cancer starts in the windpipe (trachea), the main airway (bronchus) or the lung tissue
• It is often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited
• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both males and females in Ireland and also worldwide
• Screening high risk individuals has the potential to dramatically improve survival rates through early detection
• Early detection of lung cancer can lead to better treatments and outcomes
• Approximately 10–15% of lung cancers in Western countries occur in non-smokers

Key symptoms of lung cancer:

• having a new cough or a cough most of the time
• getting out of breath doing the things you used to do without a problem
• coughing up phlegm (sputum) with blood in it
• having an ache or pain in the chest or shoulder
• chest infections that keep coming back or a chest infection that doesn't get better
• feeling tired all the time (fatigue)
• losing your appetite
• losing weight

Less common symptoms of lung cancer include:

• larger fingertips and curved nails (finger clubbing)
• finding it difficult to swallow (dysphagia) or feeling pain when swallowing
• wheezing
• hoarse voice
• swelling of your face or neck
• chest or shoulder pain that does not go away

Learn more here

Download our Lung Cancer Brochure here:  Lung Cancer -What you should know

Liz Yeates, CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation, said,

“The statistics around lung cancer are harrowing and stark but the Marie Keating Foundation wants to share a sense of hope and positivity for the future. With advancements in treatments and medications, early detection and diagnosis can save lives and give families precious time. That’s why improved and widespread awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms is so important.”

Supporting the campaign, Professor Jarushka Naidoo, Professor of Medical Oncology and Consultant Medical Oncologist at Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre, Lung Cancer Chair for Cancer Trials Ireland and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Oncology at Johns Hopkins University said: 

"Detecting lung cancer early can be lifesaving. When caught in its early stages, there’s a greater chance to offer treatments aimed at curing the disease. In recent years, we've seen a surge in new treatment options for lung cancer patients. By diagnosing the cancer earlier, we give patients a better shot at receiving these therapies and being healthy enough to tolerate them. Evidence from other countries has shown that early detection programmes can successfully catch lung cancer sooner, leading to better outcomes for patients.”

Our ambassadors have shared their stories to raise awareness and help you learn the ways to 'Look Out For Lung Cancer'.

To read each of their stories in full, click the images below and learn about Tracy, Ted, Gillian and Samantha's experiences with Lung Cancer.

The Big Check Up  to help change how we see lung cancer also harnesses mobile technology. The Marie Keating Foundation  partnered with mobile messaging app Snapchat  to develop a new screen filter highlighting key lung cancer signs and symptoms. When used, the new AR filter displays information on lung cancer indicators to watch out for. We  invite users to encourage anyone they know with possible symptoms, including a cough that lingers for more than three weeks, to get checked. Learn more by downloading our How to Guide or watching the filter in action HERE 

Following on from the success of this partnership the Marie Keating Foundation joined forces with Instagram to launch 'Filter Out Lung Cancer' Live on their platform. This AR filter is one of the first of its kind and we are incredibly excited that it will remain live on Instagram to continue to raise awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms beyond Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Click HERE to try the filter live on Instagram.

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Thank you to our sponsors for supporting this campaign.

Our sponsors did not have any input or influence in the content of the campaign.