The MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, Gerald Jones, supported the British Lung Foundation’s lung health awareness campaign by taking their online ‘breath test’ at the Houses of Parliament and encouraging others to do the same.
The charity’s UK-wide campaign aims to raise awareness that feeling out of breath doing everyday tasks could be a sign of lung disease. They encourage anyone who feels breathless take their online breath test.
The test allows people to check their health through a 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.
At the British Lung Foundation’s summer reception, MPs and Peers had a chance to find out more about lung disease and try the ‘breath test’ themselves on iPads.
The Labour 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.
“If you’re even slightly worried a loved one has been feeling increasingly short of breath – please make sure they take the test.”
Dr Penny Woods, CEO of British Lung Foundation said:
“Our reception in Westminster gave us the opportunity to throw the spotlight on breathlessness, which can be 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.
“There are thousands of people in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney with a lung condition, but not everyone’s aware they have one. It’s great to have support from Gerald 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.”
Over 250,000 people have taken the test since it was launched last year. Over 70% of people who have taken the test have had medically concerning levels of breathlessness.
The BLF’s Listen to your lungs campaign is raising awareness of persistent cough and breathlessness as possible symptoms of lung disease, including lung cancer, and heart disease. To take the test visit: www.blf.org.uk/breathtest. For more information or advise on this topic visit: https://lungcancer.nhs.wales/
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The British Lung Foundation is the only UK charity fighting to help the 1 in 5 people in the UK affected by lung disease, by researching new treatments, campaigning for better awareness and services, and providing support and advice for patients, carers and family members. For further information, please visit www.blf.org.uk. For help and support, call the BLF Helpline on 03000 030 555. To donate £5 to help the BLF fight lung disease, please text LUNGS to 70500. Follow us on Twitter or join us on Facebook.