A MAN from Ledbury is helping to raise awareness about getting an early diagnosis for some of the leading causes of death in England.

Seventy three-year-old Phil Pattison, who has been diagnosed with coronary heart disease (CHD), is telling his story in a bid to help other people to watch for the signs of CHD and other serious conditions and get them checked out by the doctor.

Phil said: “I was feeling breathless for years, but it was only when my breathlessness started to seriously affect the way I lived my life that I went to get it checked.

“My daughter and I went to see the doctor and after some tests it was revealed that I had heart disease. I am so thankful that I got it checked because it means that I am now getting the right treatment for my disease.

“Please don’t put off seeing your doctor if you’re feeling breathless doing things you used to be able to do, as it could be a sign of something more serious.”

Public Health England (PHE) has launched its Be Clear On Cancer Campaign in the West Midlands and is urging people to see their doctor if they are getting out of breath doing the sort of things they would normally do easily or they have had a cough for three weeks or more.

PHE says these symptoms can be a sign of lung disease, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or lung cancer and breathlessness can also be an indication of heart disease.

The most recent figures show there were 11,174 people in Worcestershire with COPD; 20,327 in the county with coronary heart disease (CHD) and 370 diagnosed with lung cancer. There were 280 deaths due to lung cancer in 2015/16.

As well as prompting anyone who experiences these symptoms to visit their GP, the campaign calls on people to encourage friends and family to visit the GP if they have either of these symptoms.

Dr Lola Abudu, director of Health and Wellbeing for PHE West Midlands, said: “Each year in the West Midlands there are around 111,200 people diagnosed with COPD, almost 200,000 diagnosed with coronary heart disease, while 3,861 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in the West Midlands in 2015.

“We would like to see earlier diagnosis of these conditions across the region. Recognising the symptoms of these diseases and going to the doctor promptly can lead to an earlier diagnosis when these conditions are more treatable.

“Coughing for three weeks or more, or becoming breathless doing things you used to be able to do, such as mowing the lawn or walking at a normal pace, could be a sign of something serious – so it’s important to visit the GP to get these symptoms checked out.”

A Be Clear on Cancer roadshow is visiting eight shopping centres – including the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, Redditch on July 12 and 13 from 9am to 7pm - across the West Midlands region to raise awareness of the signs of heart disease, lung cancer and lung disease and to encourage those with symptoms to visit their GP.

The roadshow team, which includes a nurse, is handing out leaflets and talking to anyone who has any questions. The team is also speaking to people about recognising the symptoms in others, as they can play a key part in encouraging loved ones to see their GP.

The campaign runs until August 31. For more information about the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, other lung disease and heart disease please visit www.nhs.uk/beclearoncancer