Three week cough

Got a cough? Get a check campaign

Got a cough? Get a check – that’s the advice from the NHS in Leeds this year as a campaign is launched to raise awareness of respiratory illnesses.

Many people don’t realise that a cough that lasts for three weeks or more can often be the sign of lung problems. So, NHS Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have teamed up to raise awareness of this and the other common symptoms of lung illness; shortness of breath and persistent chest pain.

In this section

In this section of our website you can find out more about the Got a cough? Get a check campaign.

• About the campaign - this page
• Symptoms and resources - click here
• Information for professionals - click here
  
  

What is the campaign about?

The main reason for carrying out the campaign is to raise awareness of respiratory symptoms. These include a cough that lasts for three weeks or more, shortness of breath and persistent chest pain. 

If respiratory illnesses – which are problems affecting the lungs – are caught early they can be treated more successfully. This is particularly important when we are talking about lung cancer, which if left untreated is often fatal.

How does lung cancer affect people in Leeds?

Few people realise that lung cancer is one of the UK’s biggest killers but also has one of the lowest survival rates. In Leeds, around 500 people a year are diagnosed with the disease, which can be treated successfully if caught early.

Unfortunately around 75 percent of those found to have the disease in our city are diagnosed in the latter stages of the illness meaning it is generally incurable and sadly many die within a year of diagnosis.

Who is the campaign aimed at?

The campaign, which will run for a year, focuses on the inner south and inner east of the city where local people are more likely to experience serious lung problems. Our data shows that a high proportion of the people diagnosed with lung cancer each year come from these parts of the city.

However, it’s really important that any adult who has a cough for more than three weeks speaks to their GP. They will suggest a chest x-ray which can detect any illness that needs treating.

What do we already know about local people’s awareness?

As part of the project some research was undertaken to find out what people know about lung cancer and what their views are on the campaign.

We found that:

• awareness of lung cancer symptoms and warning signs was low;
• smokers were less likely to know the signs of lung cancer; 
• three quarters of people didn’t realise that the risk of cancer increases the older you get; and 
• less than half of people asked would feel confident about spotting the symptoms of lung cancer.

We also know that a high proportion of people would see their GP as soon as possible if they thought they had a symptom of lung cancer. But, over a fifth of people would be worried about wasting a GP’s time.

What is the NHS doing about it?

Our innovative new project aims to encourage people to be diagnosed more quickly so their chances of early treatment and survival are improved. To do this we are:

• supporting local people to access information and signposting to health services through our community health education programme;
• raising awareness of the warning signs – persistent cough, breathlessness or chest pain – through an advertising campaign;
• launching walk-in, chest x-ray services for the over 50s living in inner south and inner east Leeds. These are based at Seacroft Hospital and the St George’s Centre in Middleton; and
• working with GPs to make sure people with symptoms are referred promptly for a chest x-ray.