News from Sutton LINk

Early intervention: Project launched ...
03 February 2012

South West London Cancer Network has launched a project with selected community pharmacists in Croydon and Wandsworth to help recognise the early signs of potential lung cancer.

The aim of the project is to improve public awareness of lung cancer and avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.

Alison Hill from the South West London Cancer Network, said: "We are working with selected community pharmacists in targeted areas where there is evidence of high rates of smoking and or high numbers of people with cancer.”

"Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United Kingdom. Around 41,000 people are diagnosed in the UK each year. It kills more men and women than any other form of cancer.

"Lung cancer affects people of all ages but is most common in those who are over 50. In 8 out of 10 cases, lung cancer is related to cigarette smoking, although some people who have never smoked get lung cancer.”

Howard Duff, Director for England at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society said: "This is a really innovative project which could help patients with lung cancer get diagnosed more quickly. It's great to see the Cancer Network fully using the clinical skills of community pharmacists to increase the early detection of cancer. Once the results of the project are available I'd hope to see it replicated elsewhere.”

When a customer aged over 40 and who is a current or ex-smoker visits the pharmacy with the signs and symptoms (listed below) the pharmacist will be able to refer them to a lung specialist at Croydon University Hospital or St George's Hospital for further investigations.

Possible signs and symptoms include:

• A cough for the past 3 weeks or more
• Coughing up blood
• Chest and/or shoulder pain
• Breathlessness
• Losing weight for no obvious reason
• Hoarseness

If the customer has the symptoms outlined above, but does not want to go to hospital for tests, the pharmacist will advise them to visit their GP if their symptoms continue.

The following pharmacies are participating in the project:

• ABC Drugstore
• Ashburton Pharmacy
• Aukland Rogers
• Barkers Chemist
• Boots the Chemist – Clapham Junction
• Boots the Chemist – Tooting
• Care Chemists
• Jennings Chemist Ltd
• Lords Pharmacy
• National Co-Op Chemist – Roehampton

• A-Z Pharmacy
• Boots the Chemist – Whitgift Centre
• Brigstock Pharmacy
• Croydon Pharmacy
• Lloyd George Pharmacy
• Shivas Pharmacy
• Swan Pharmacy
• Your Local Boots Pharmacy – New Addington