MP for South West Wiltshire, Dr Andrew Murrison, supported the British Lung Foundation’s upcoming lung health awareness campaign by taking part in an online ‘breath test’ at the Houses of Parliament last month, and is encouraging others to do the same.
During a week-long exhibition on lung health at Westminster, the charity showcased their current ‘Listen to your lungs’ campaign. The UK-wide campaign will aim to raise awareness that feeling out of breath doing everyday tasks could be a sign of lung disease.
Public Health Minister, Jane Ellison MP launched the exhibition and ‘breath test’ on 4th July.
The exhibition gave MPs, Peers and visitors to parliament a chance to find out more about lung disease in the UK, and to test their lung health using an online ‘breath test’ displayed on an interactive display donated by technology company MultiTaction.
The test allows people to check their health through 10 simple questions, based around the Medical Research Council breathlessness scale. The aim is to reassure people who don’t have a problem and guide those with significant breathlessness to make an appointment with their GP.
Dr Andrew Murrison MP said, “Completing the BLF’s online ‘breath test’ is a really easy way of checking your lung health. I’d encourage everyone to try it. It’ll either give you peace of mind or start you on a path to helping you manage your breathlessness.
“Sixty-five per cent of people underestimate the proportion of deaths in the UK caused by lung disease[i], it kills someone every 5 minutes. If you’re even slightly worried a loved one has been feeling increasingly short of breath – please make sure they take the test.”
Steven Wibberley, chief operating officer for the British Lung Foundation said, “The exhibition gave us the opportunity to throw the spotlight on breathlessness, which can be a sign of lung disease. Fewer than half of us would be concerned at feeling short of breath doing daily tasks. Often people put it down to age or fitness, and don’t seek advice from their GP.
“It’s great to have the support of Andrew in encouraging people to ‘Listen to their lungs’ if they feel breathless. Together we can ensure that those people who are suffering with an undiagnosed lung condition seek help and get the support they need. With treatment, people can live longer, healthier lives.”
The British Lung Foundation wants at least 100,000 people to take the test and share it with their friends and family.
The Listen to your lungs campaign complements the launch of Public Health England’s national Be Clear on Cancer campaign on 14th July, raising awareness of persistent cough and inappropriate breathlessness as possible symptoms of lung disease, including lung cancer, and heart disease. To take the test visit: www.blf.org.uk/breathtest
