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
Joe went to his doctor, who prescribed antibiotics. After a few weeks, Joe returned. The doctor gave him the same response. When his symptoms still did not improve after a third visit, Joe pushed back.
“Coughs weren’t unusual for me,” Joe explained. “But this one felt different. It left me very tired and lethargic, more than I had ever experienced before.
“It was clear the antibiotics weren’t working, so something else needed to happen. Fortunately, the other doctor agreed. That was when I was sent for a chest x-ray and a bronchoscopy.”
The tests revealed a tumour in the top lobe of Joe’s left lung. Surgeons removed it during surgery. Thirteen years later, 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.
“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.”
Let go of the labels
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.