Over 2,000 people in Ireland get lung cancer every single year. Let’s change this, shall we?
The Irish Cancer Society’s Lung Cancer Awareness Month is running throughout January, so now is the perfect time to tackle this problem.
It’s an absolute plague on Irish society and kills more of us every year than any other cancer. So, let’s not just sit here and breath it in. Let’s do everything we can to reduce the risk of getting lung cancer.
Here are a few guidelines to get you started…
1. Don’t smoke, or quit the bloody things if you already do!
If smoking was natural, you would have been born with a chimney on the side of your head…
Look, if you’re able to read this article then you’re smart enough to know that smoking isn’t ‘what the cool kids do’. Not only is it not cool, it is also a key contributor to lung cancer and helps cause several other cancers.
Avoid the secondhand stuff too, even if it means leaving the room when your partner lights up. Firstly, it’s terrible for you and secondly, it makes you stink.
If you need help quitting call the HSE Quit Team on Freephone 1800 201 203 or Freetext QUIT to 50100. Visit www.quit.ie where support is available from smoking cessation counsellors.
2. Keep your weight in check
Not only does getting off the couch make the hottie in the office notice you – trust us – it also reduces the risk of all cancers.
People who follow a healthy lifestyle are around 20% less likely to get cancer… so set up that motivational playlist on Spotify, get your trainers out of the closet and get moving.
Or if you prefer, stay in your undies and hop on the treadmill… who are we to judge.
3. Choose the healthy option more often
We enjoy the occasional takeaway as much as the next guy, but we also realise that too much bad food is dangerous for us.
Foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat are bad for our health in general and do contribute to all cancers, including lung cancer.
So we’ve decided to take our head out of the sand and make a conscious choice to increase the amount of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and pulses we eat… now all we have to do is figure out what pulses are.
4. Avoid Pollutants as best as possible
Not following the health and safety instructions when working with cancer-causing substances is not very impressive and also really stupid. Like, REALLY stupid.
The guidelines are there for a reason, so follow them. Find out more about pollutants and cancer risk here.
5. Recognise the signs
Catching the symptoms early is key to beating this disease, so make sure you recognise the signs.
The signs and symptoms of lung cancer are:
- A cough that doesn’t go away or a change in a long-term cough
- Feeling short of breath or wheezing
- Repeated chest infections that won’t go away even after antibiotics
- Coughing up blood-stained phlegm (sputum)
- Pain in your chest, especially when you cough or breathe
- Feeling more tired than usual and/or unexplained weight loss
- Hoarse voice, problems swallowing or swelling in the face or neck
If you’re concerned about any of these, then ring the Irish Cancer Society National Cancer Helpline Freefone 1800 200 700 to speak to a specialist cancer nurse.
You can also visit www.cancer.ie
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
