Cancer campaigners take to the streets

The “Cough Cough” campaign aims to encourage people to visit their doctors if they have had coughs for more than three weeks.

In the two years from 2007 to 2009, 528 people in Barnsley died from lung cancer – making it the most common form of cancer in the area.

Dr John Cornell, cancer lead for NHS Barnsley, said: “We wanted a fresh approach in helping people understand that lung cancer is treatable and that the chances of survival are much better if it’s caught early.

“By raising awareness of the early symptoms, we hope to encourage those people who could be affected to visit their GP for further advice and ultimately help improve cancer survival rates in the local area.

“The key message is, if you’ve had a new cough for more than three weeks or a cough that has changed over time, visit your GP and ask for a chest x-ray.”

Early symptoms of lung cancer include a persistent cough that lasts for more than three weeks and coughing up blood.

Mike Edwards, 68, was diagnosed with lung cancer eight years ago and is lending his support to the campaign.

Mr Edwards, from Barnsley, said: “I’d had a cough for a while but one day I coughed up blood. I thought it was strange because I felt all right, so I went to see the doctor who sent me to hospital for an x-ray.

“I was diagnosed with lung cancer and referred for an operation. Thankfully the surgery was a success.

“Now I’m retired with my wife and I have an active life. I think it’s very important that you go to the doctor if you have a long-lasting cough or are coughing up blood.”

The campaign will run for six weeks with Barnsley’s HealthWise bus, which offers health advice in the community, hosting roadshows at which people can speak with an NHS advisor.

Meanwhile, a new “smiley face” project has also been unveiled for children to give their views on services at Barnsley Hospital.

A touch-screen system enables youngsters to give their own ratings, with a smiley face indicating a short wait in the emergency department and an unhappy face indicating too long a wait.

Matron in the emergency department, Debbie Firth, said: “This is a great new system, particularly for young people who are used to using smiley faces in text language on their mobile phones.

“We want to improve the hospital for all our patients and that includes children and their families. Understanding how they see our service is key to that, and this will help us in the future.”

Barnsley Hospital has already been collecting information from adult patients using a new electronic system.