Clitheroe cancer survivor to be face of new campaign

Peter Moore, 75, is fronting the Lung Cancer – Get if Off Your Chest awareness campaign that has been launched throughout East Lancashire.

The grandfather-of-four is appearing in a series of billboard posters and information leaflets to help raise awareness of the campaign across the region.

Lung cancer claims more than 280 lives in East Lancashire every year, making it one of the area’s biggest causes of death.

Peter was diagnosed in March 2009 after developing a severe pain in his chest.

Although Peter, an ex-smoker, had been experiencing breathlessness for some time, as he had had several heart attacks in the past, he assumed this was connected to his existing heart condition, and that the chest pain was a symptom of another heart attack.

An x-ray showed a shadow on Peter’s right lung that was initially thought due to a chest infection.

However, he was referred for a broncoscopy and subsequently given the devastating news he had lung cancer.

Due to Peter’s heart condition, it was not possible to operate and he underwent a four-week course of radiotherapy treatment at Preston’s Rosemere Centre.

Peter, a retired heating engineer, who is married to Joan, 63, made a good recovery, but continues to have regular check-ups.

He said: “Although I had felt breathless for quite some time, I put it down to my heart condition and just ignored it.

“I never for one moment suspected I had lung cancer.

“I was extremely lucky my cancer was detected early and, as a result, the treatment was successful. It’s so important people know what to look out for.”

The campaign asks people to visit their GP if they have experienced a persistent cough, change in a cough or unexplained shortness of breath.

Dr Russell Thorpe, Primary Care Lead for Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Network, said: “Spotting early signs of what could be lung cancer and getting checked out by a doctor can mean the disease is diagnosed more quickly.”