When Leslie Henshilwood, from Boarhills near St Andrews, started coughing up blood in 2005, he wasted no time in going to see his GP and was diagnosed with lung cancer.
“After all the usual tests I underwent surgery to remove the lower portion of my left lung,” says Leslie, now 70.
“My experience with my GP, Macmillan nurses and hospital staff could not be faulted and after belt and braces chemotherapy, I was able to live a normal but restricted life,” he continues.
“My message is simple: your chances of survival are much greater the earlier you report your symptoms. If you feel something is wrong then tell your GP.
“I felt I was very knowledgeable in this field yet six months ago I let a nurse tell me there was nothing wrong with the fact that I was coughing up blood again. I didn’t push for tests and as a result, only after requesting an x-ray three months later was I diagnosed with two new tumours.
“Once these were diagnosed things moved quickly but you know your body better than a nurse or GP, so if you suspect anything, don’t be fobbed off and stick to your guns. My treatment could have started three months ago.
“Letting things trundle on might cost you your life.”
Possible symptoms of lung cancer include having a cough most of the time, a change in a cough you have had for a long time, shortness of breath, coughing up phlegm with signs of blood in it, an ache or pain in the chest or shoulder, loss of appetite, tiredness (fatigue) and losing weight.
If you suffer from any of these, ask your GP to check you out.
