My Dad's Cancer Story; or, The Importance of Lung Cancer Screening: How Early Diagnosis Can Save Lives

Four years ago my Dad, Eric, started showing serious respiratory symptoms. Hangover from the COVID-19 pandemic meant that these symptoms were initially dismissed as 'long COVID'. This dismissive attitude and delays in the healthcare system meant my Dad carried on as if all was okay. Around Christmas time, his coughs and wheezes were joined by an almost complete loss of voice; a significant detriment to a vocal Yorkshireman. The escalation of symptoms led to an initial scan that found a growth pressing against the nerves which controlled my Dad's vocal muscles. It was only at this stage doctors put my dad onto a cancer diagnosis pathway. Subsequent scans and a biopsy resulted in a diagnosis of late stage small cell lung cancer. The cancer had already heavily metastasised and was declared incurable. My Dad died six months later in August of 2023.

Two years after my Dad's death, the first lung cancer screening scans took place in his home town.

My Dad was a regular smoker for a large part of his life, but when he was diagnosed with cancer he hadn't smoked a cigarette in over 20 years. Regardless, due to his age and history of smoking he would today be eligible for lung screening. Lung cancer screening is a relatively recent NHS programme and is currently only available in England. There are often no signs or symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage and, for small cell lung cancer in particular, this is when the disease must be caught for there to be a good chance of curing it. Had the lung screening programme been in place it could have caught my Dad's cancer earlier, before symptoms started showing, and when it was curable. I often wonder if I could be sat having a conversation with my Dad if he had had opportunity to be screened.

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation has campaigned on lung cancer screening for many years and funds pioneering research in the field. If not for their work, much of the research required for the NHS to run such a programme would not have taken place. They continue to campaign for the rollout of lung screening in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland on top of providing invaluable information and support. I am proud to support their charitable work and hope that by sharing my Dad's cancer story, I have demonstrated how supporting this charity can help to save lives.

The Challenge!

I'm taking on the 3K a Day challenge this November for Lung Cancer Awareness Month! I will be running 90 km across 30 days to raise funds and awareness for Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. For some context, I couldn't run 2 km 2 years ago... this may well be the biggest physical challenge of my life!

My Dad's story is just one of far too many. Lung cancer affects thousands of families every year, and early diagnosis (often via screening) is key to saving lives. Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation is the only UK charity solely dedicated to supporting everyone affected by lung cancer. The charity funds ground breaking research, provides specialist nursing care, and offers guidance and hope to patients and their loved ones.

I will be stepping out in the cold to complete my 90 km, but I need your support to reach my goal. Please donate whatever you can to help me make a real difference. Every pound funds vital patient support and early diagnosis initiatives. Thank you so much!

Harry