Andrew has supported the British Lung Foundation’s upcoming lung health awareness campaign by taking part in an online ‘breath test’ at the Houses of Parliament earlier this month, and is encouraging others to do the same.
During a week-long exhibition on lung health at Westminster, the charity is showcasing their upcoming Listen to your lungs campaign, due to start in Mid-July. 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 the 4th July and the British Lung Foundation wants at least 100,000 people to take the test and share it with their friends and family.
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.
Andrew says, “Completing the BLF’s online ‘breath test’ is a really easy way of checking your lung health and I would encourage everyone to try it. Breathlessness can be caused by a variety of reasons however, like with all health concerns, it’s best to get it checked and this test will help reassure and provide necessary guidance on managing your breathlessness.
“I was delighted to write a blog last year for the British Lung Foundation on Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). We need fast diagnosis of these conditions and more awareness of the symptoms associated with them.
“Sixty-five per cent of people underestimate the proportion of deaths in the UK caused by lung disease; which sadly kills someone every 5 minutes. If you’re even slightly worried a loved one has been feeling increasingly short of breath – please ask them to take the test.”
Steven Wibberley, Chief Operating Officer for the British Lung Foundation said:
“This exhibition gives 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 Listen to your lungs campaign complements the launch of Public Health England’s national Be Clear on Cancer campaign on 14 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 or learn more visit: www.blf.org.uk/breathtest
