Lung cancer survivor, Joe Crofts, urges others to push back and get a second opinion when symptoms persist.
It’s been 13 years since Joe from Mauchline first heard those dreaded words… You have lung cancer. Just 35 years old at the time and having never smoked, lung cancer was the furthest thing from Joe’s mind.
Joe had been suffering with a persistent cough and recurrent chest infections for several months. Such symptoms weren’t uncommon for Joe; as a child, he had suffered with bronchitis and continued to succumb to coughs and colds.
Spot the difference
He went to his doctor where he was prescribed antibiotics. After a few weeks, he returned and was met with the same response. However, on his third visit and no improvement in his symptoms, Joe pushed back.
“Coughs weren’t unusual for me,” explained Joe, “but there was something different about this one. It left me very tired and quite lethargic, more so than I’d experienced before.
“It was clear the antibiotics weren’t working so it seemed obvious to me that something else needed to be done. Fortunately the other doctor agreed and that was when I was sent for a chest x-ray and bronchoscopy.”
The tests revealed a tumour in the top lobe of Joe’s left lung, and he underwent surgery to remove it. 13 years on, and Joe remains cancer free.
Rediscovering a passion
Since his diagnosis, Joe has taken up cycling and completed several challenges for Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, including cycling from London to Paris in just four days.
“I started cycling a couple of years after my diagnosis and soon got the bug. After completing RideLondon, I decided to push myself further and take on London to Paris. Given my diagnosis, it made sense to do it for Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.
“I’ve been involved with the charity ever since and in that time, I’ve learned of so many other people with similar symptoms to me, who weren’t sent for tests as quickly.
“They didn’t get the same outcome as me. They couldn’t have their cancer removed. They couldn’t get back on with their lives or have the luxury of taking up a new hobby.
“That’s why I wanted to be part of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation’s campaign for lung cancer awareness month.
“If someone has a cough, or a chest infection and the first course of antibiotics doesn’t work, they need to be sent for an x-ray – regardless of if they have smoked or not. It’s the only way we’re going to save more lives.”
Joe shares his story as part of our Let Go of the Labels campaign for lung cancer awareness month, which calls for us all to stop thinking about lung cancer in terms of ‘smoker’ and ‘non-smoker’.
Charity chief executive, Paula Chadwick, said: “Joe’s story is so important.
“Not only does it is show us that, when lung cancer is caught early, it can be successfully treated, but it also highlights the importance of self-advocacy.
“Joe recognised that the current course of treatment wasn’t working and shared his concerns with his GP who then sent him for an immediate chest x-ray. We want anyone in a similar situation to feel able to have similar conversations, push for further investigation or ask for a second opinion.”
If you are concerned about symptoms or would like advice about how to get the most out of your appointment, check out our blog.