Don’t ignore the symptoms

Take your symptoms seriously.

This article was written by Tamra Carr and published in the Geraldton Guardian on 27 November 2019.

A Kalbarri lung cancer sufferer has joined a campaign to reduce the number of people who ignore cancer symptoms.

Kevin Cronin, pictured, a Cancer Council WA-appointed champion, has urged the region’s residents to take symptoms seriously — including loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss and a cough that just won’t go away.

“Take your symptoms seriously,” Mr Cronin said.

“Don’t wait until something else happens.

“Get it checked.”

According to the Cancer Council WA, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death, but only the fifth-most diagnosed.

Although the organisation says most cases of lung cancer can be put down to smoking, farmers, construction workers and other tradespeople are at risk because of the materials they work with, including diesel engine exhaust, silica dust and welding fumes.