Don’t leave a persistent cough. Get it checked out.

IT is vital that patients in Tameside act on a persistent cough and don’t wait to see if it resolves on its own.

Many people don’t realise that a cough for three weeks or more could be a sign of lung cancer.

Tameside Integrated Care Partnership is backing NHS England’s relaunch of the ‘Help Us, Help You’ lung cancer campaign to encourage people with a cough lasting three weeks or more to contact their GP practice.

Tameside has one of the highest rates for lung cancer in England.

While a cough for three weeks or more is probably nothing serious, it can be a sign of something that needs treatment. If it is cancer, finding it early means it is more treatable and can save lives.

Your NHS is here and wants to see you; Help Us, Help You.

Visit nhs.uk/cancersymptoms for more information

Dr Ashwin Ramachandra, Strategic Clinical Lead for Integrated Care at Tameside Integrated Care Partnership said: said: “As part of a targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) programme in Hyde, past and current smokers aged 55-74-years-old are already being sent a GP letter inviting them to attend a mobile scanning unit at Asda car park in Hyde, as part of the initiative providing quick and easy lung checks - a drive to improve earlier diagnosis of lung cancer and save more lives.

“If a friend or family member has been coughing for three weeks or more, encourage them to contact their GP practice.  It’s probably nothing serious, but finding cancer early makes it more treatable.”