2 April 2025
New Women’s Health Network launched in Luton
Luton’s Women’s Health Network has been officially launched – putting women’s health at the forefront of the agenda and providing help and support to 112,000…
Home » NHS urges people in BLMK to come forward for Life Saving Cancer Checks
Residents in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) are being urged to be aware of the symptoms of potential lung cancer and to come forward for targeted screening if they are invited, as Lung Cancer Awareness Month begins (November).
Bedfordshire has some of the highest rates of smoking and the poorest cancer outcomes, with a significant percentage of the local population known to be either current or former smokers. BLMK residents in the local area are being invited to have a free lung health check with a lung specialist, the early the detection the much higher the survival chances are.
More than four in 10 cases of cancer could be prevented, largely through lifestyle changes such as not smoking, keeping a healthy bodyweight, eating a healthy balanced diet and cutting down on alcohol.
Dr James Ramsay, a respiratory physician at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“A cough is a common symptom for many things, but when you have a cough that doesn’t go away after three weeks or more, it could be a sign of cancer. Early detection is important even if you cough up blood just once.
“We aim to remind people with a long-standing cough and their loved ones not to be complacent and to encourage them to get checked out. It’s likely nothing to be too worried about, but if it does turn out to be cancer – the earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.
“Whenever anyone notices anything unusual for their body that they are worried could be cancer, it’s vital that they act by contacting their GP practice.
In addition to the symptom of a cough for three weeks or more, other symptoms of lung cancer include:
• Chest infections that keep coming back
• Coughing up blood
• A long-standing cough that gets worse
• An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
• Persistent breathlessness
• Persistent tiredness or lack of energy
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
For more information on cancer signs and symptoms go to https://nhs.uk/cancersymptoms
For press enquiries, please email blmkicb.communications@nhs.net
2 April 2025
New Women’s Health Network launched in Luton
Luton’s Women’s Health Network has been officially launched – putting women’s health at the forefront of the agenda and providing help and support to 112,000…
27 March 2025
“Last chance” call over flu vaccinations
Thousands of eligible people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes who have not yet come forward for flu vaccinations have been reminded that they have…
26 March 2025
Youth Parliament Members urge NHS Board to innovate and prevent illness
Young voices took centre stage at the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) meeting on 21 March, as members of the Central Bedfordshire Youth Parliament shared…
25 March 2025
Women’s Health Summit to launch new Women’s Health Network
A Women’s Health Summit will be held this week to mark the launch ofa new Women’s Health Network for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK). BLMK Integrated Care Board (ICB)…
14 March 2025
Women unite for breast cancer awareness on International Women’s Day
Demonstrating a strong sense of community solidarity, women from Bedford’s Caribbean community gathered at Fujifilm in Bedford this week to mark International Women’s Day. The event focused on raising awareness…
14 March 2025
Robotic pets provide comfort and companionship for local residents
With funding from NHS England, the Digitising Social Care programme at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership is evaluating the impact of RoboPets on adults receiving social…