For our friends In europe News

[RandyW]

WORDS OF WISDOM

Brian McIver

WOMEN are still not understanding the full risks of lung cancer, according to a new campaign.

The aggressive and deadly disease is the biggest cancer killer of women in the UK - with 13,500 dying every year.

But now Women Against Lung Cancer hope to raise awareness of the growing trend among women and pressure the Government to invest more into treatment and research.

Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer in the UK - more than breast and bowel cancer combined - with 11 per cent of all new female cases, yet only gets 1.4 per cent of the national cancer research budget.

Only 26 per cent of women in the UK are alive one year on from diagnosis and twice as many Brits are likely to die from lung cancer than the EU average.

Dame Gill Oliver, who has more than two decades' experience of cancer care services, said: "It's vital women understand just how much this disease can affect them.

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"Twenty per cent of women who get cancer in the UK will get lung cancer, so something needs to be done.

"We are also worried by the growing number of children and young women who choose to smoke, there's been a five per cent increase since 1992 among 16-25 year olds.

"There is a big awareness of the health risks, but too many women are taking up the habit and we need to stop this by offering help - not judgment."

To register your support, get involved or to email your MP, log onto www.walcuk.org

[j ross]

Dear Randy

Thanks for thinking of the uk. LC organizations here are not very pro active. Drugs like Tarceva are being denied on a regular basis and try as I can to push some buttons it is like screaming in the wind (excuse the mixed metaphors). There is never an adequate response from anyone, it is so frustrating.

Best wishes

Jennie