Patient speaks out to raise awareness of lung cancer
Former diver helps two leading charities put message across during month-long drive
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A LUNG cancer patient has spoken of his determination to continue living his life as normal as a new drive sets out to raise awareness of the symptoms of the disease.
John Belchamber spoke out during lung cancer awareness month as Macmillan Cancer Support and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation joined forces to urge people to look out for symptoms and seek help from their GP.
The former mine and bomb disposal clearance diver for the Navy had always been fit and was surprised when he started having breathing difficulties in March.
Mr Belchamber, whose cancer was diagnosed soon afterwards – just weeks after he retired – had given up smoking when he became a diver 40 years previously.
The 58-year-old, whose wife, Jane, gave up work to be with him, said: “I was totally unaware of the symptoms of lung cancer and what you should be looking for. When I was breathless I never, ever thought that it was a symptom of lung cancer.”
Mr Belchamber, of the Ballogie Estate, Potarch Bridge, near Aboyne, has had four cycles of chemotherapy and is now on a maintenance treatment drug trial, which will continue indefinitely, providing his condition does not worsen.
He said he could not praise NHS medical staff highly enough for the care and support he received, particularly consultant medical oncologist Dr Marianne Nicolson and specialist Macmillan lung cancer nurse Liz Steven, who is based at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with her colleague Amanda Copeland.
Mr Belchamber, who has also worked in bomb disposal throughout Scotland as well as landmine clearance in Kuwait and Afghanistan, said he would not let the disease take over his life. “I make the most of life,” he added. “As far as I’m concerned I am fine. If you are diagnosed with lung cancer, accept it with a positive attitude and let life continue as normal. I don’t think about the bad things.”
About 4,500 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed every year. More than 350 patients have been diagnosed in the NHS Grampian region in the last six years.
Symptoms include a cough that does not go away after two or three weeks, a worsening of a long-standing cough, persistent chest infections, coughing blood, unexplained breathlessness, tiredness and weight loss and persistent chest or shoulder pain. Mrs Steven said it was important for everyone to look out for the signs, even if they have never smoked.
“Lung cancer tends to be low profile and people don’t tend to want to speak about it. They feel there is a stigma attached – smokers’ cancer. But people who don’t smoke get lung cancer as well. People should be aware of the symptoms and get help.”
She and other clinical nurse specialists offer support such as helping families and advising on companies able to offer insurance, as well as providing a 24-hour care.
For more information visit www.macmillan.org.uk/lung or www.roycastle.org/lcam
