Your questions answered

Need further advice? Please use the following frequently asked questions, which may help with general guidance. For individual concerns, please speak to your GP.

I’ve got a cough that won’t go away. What should I do?

If you’ve had it for three weeks or more, or if your cough has changed or got worse please make an appointment with your GP now. Chances are it’s nothing serious, but it’s better to know now.

I’m worried about my dad. He’s had a terrible cough for ages and I think he’s scared to go to his doctor.

Please encourage your dad to make an appointment with his GP. Chances are it’s nothing serious, but a cough for more than three weeks could be a warning sign of something more serious such as lung cancer. You could also forward him a link to this website for more information, if you think that would encourage him to make an appointment.

I’ve heard that most people with lung cancer die.  Is that true?

These days the majority of people with lung cancer survive if it is caught at an early stage. Unfortunately, many lung cancers are diagnosed at a late stage when they are much harder to treat. The purpose of the ‘small c’ campaign is to help people recognise symptoms when cancer is still small and vulnerable to treatment. Research shows that up to 10,000 cancer deaths in the UK each year could be avoided, primarily through earlier diagnosis when the disease can be treated more successfully. Find out more about why spotting lung cancer early saves lives. 

I’ve smoked for years and I’m always coughing. Will my doctor really take me seriously?

If you’ve had a cough for more than three weeks, or if your cough has changed or got worse, please make an appointment with your GP now. Your doctor will make the time to see you, and will refer you for a chest x-ray.

I’ve recently noticed that I get out of breath easily, should I be concerned?

If this is something new or has changed recently, please see your GP straight away. Chances are it’s nothing serious, but it’s better to know now.

Can you send me some leaflets so that I can forward them onto my friends?

Yes, of course. Please visit our resource pack section for details of how to order leaflets.

If you have any other questions, please contact us.