A MAN who developed lung cancer despite never smoking a cigarette in his life has spoken of his battle for survival.

Peter Thompson, 64, had enjoyed a 20-year passion for diving and had even began mountain biking as he entered his seventh decade.

But last October he was given the devastating news that he had lung cancer.

Doctors are still not sure how it started, he said, but suggested it could be from chemicals he inhaled during his career as a painter-decorator.

Peter, of Brantwood, Clayton-le-Moors, said: "It is a dreadful word, cancer. When he told me it didn't sink in for a day and when it did it was terrible. "Everybody thinks it's related to smoking.

"I thought I had months left. I went round saying goodbye to everyone, I even got the CD out for the funeral. It was terrible."

After years of fitness Peter found himself increasingly breathless and even struggled for air after climbing the stairs.

Following his diagnosis he was in hospital for 10 days and then began chemotherapy treatment.

As the cancer gripped his body he lost his speech and suffered a persistent cough. But after five months he said his chemo-therapy drug was changed and has since shown a major improvement.

Today he is still receiving treatment but said he was more back to his old self.

Last weekend he was diving in Scotland and every week he cycles at least 30 miles.

Professor Peter Ormerod, the lead for lung cancer at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, said Peter's case was an exception.

He said: "It is uncommon because 95 per cent or more of lung cancers are related to smoking.

"Lung cancer is a disease that is best avoided rather than treated, so the best way to avoid it is not to smoke, and if you are a smoker you need to stop. "Cutting down is not enough, you need to stop."

The disease has one of the highest cancer death rates, about 80 per cent, said Prof Ormerod. Less than five per cent would be alive after five years.

It is a major problem in East Lancashire he said with "higher than average" rates of the disease.

Only two to three out of 150 to 200 new East Lancashire patients who go to the hospital each year have not smoked, said Prof Ormerod.

For Peter, the experience has had a major impact on his life.

He said: "It is an eye opener. I have a different slant on life. Now I live day to day, nothing seems to phase me now. "Whereas before you used to worry about things now I am happy as Larry."