MIKE GAPES MP calls on Redbridge and  Ilford to ‘Love Your Lungs’ 

Ilford South MP Mike Gapes is backing the British Lung Foundation’s ‘Love Your Lungs’ campaign for World  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day , and to encourage those at risk to ask their GP for a lung function test.  

COPD is an umbrella term for a number of conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.  It is a progressive, irreversible lung disease yet it is both preventable and treatable and early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progression of the illness. There are an estimated 3.7 million people in the UK with the disease, yet awareness of the disease is still worryingly low with only 16% saying that had heard of COPD in a recent poll.  

The BLF has found that people often dismiss the symptoms of the disease, such as a persistent cough, excess phlegm and breathlessness, as natural signs of ageing or a ‘smokers cough’ so do not think of asking their GP for a lung function test. This was shown in a survey by the BLF of 400 smokers and ex-smokers. The survey found that three quarters (73%) of smokers and ex-smokers had not had a lung function test despite 21 % experiencing one or more of symptoms of COPD in the last 12 months 

The BLF is calling for people experiencing the symptoms of lung disease to ask for a lung function test from their GP, and for the Government to take steps to improve diagnosis and treatment throughout the country. 

To show his support Mike Gapes MP visited the BLF display at the House of Commons on Thursday and also signed an Early Day Motion  which supports the British Lung Foundation campaign and the forthcoming Clinical Strategy for COPD. The Clinical Strategy is a ten year plan which will set out standards of prevention, diagnosis and treatment for COPD across the whole of England. It is hoped that the strategy will increase awareness of COPD and make good quality care available to everyone, regardless of where they live. 

Mike Gapes says, ” I am very happy to be supporting the British Lung Foundation’s campaign. COPD is a life changing condition, but is both preventable and treatable if diagnosed early. We need to make sure that people recognise the symptoms the disease and to take steps to improve treatment across the country. I hope the forthcoming Clinical Strategy will be speedily and enthusiastically implemented by the Government.” 

Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation said, “We are delighted Mike is supporting our ‘Love Your Lungs’ campaign. Symptoms such as breathlessness and a persistent cough are often ignored by smokers or ex smokers as signs of getting older but they could be symptoms of COPD. COPD is a chronic, irreversible disease that can leave individuals unable to perform simple everyday tasks and dependent on oxygen if it is left untreated. It is important that people take the signs of COPD seriously and ask their GP for a lung function test, as the sooner they are diagnosed and treated the better.”