I AM writing to your readers through you to highlight a cause which is very close to my heart - that of lung cancer awareness.

As many of you will know, my husband Roy lost a very courageous battle with lung cancer in 1994.

Since then, I have vowed to do all I can to help stamp out this terrible disease, which is why I am supporting The Cancer Research Campaign and Imperial Cancer Research Fund's Lung Cancer Awareness Month in January.

The statistics speak for themselves. Lung cancer claims the lives of more than 34,000 people in the UK every year, making it the country's biggest killer cancer. However, there is some good news. The number of men dying of lung cancer has declined over recent years, while those for women show signs of levelling.

While scientists are working extremely hard to bring these numbers down, and indeed find cures for all cancers, it is vital that we raise awareness of lung cancer.

Despite it being one of the most common cancers in the UK, it is one of the least talked about and funded, therefore being dubbed The Invisible Cancer.

Lung cancer is most frequently caused by smoking, with 80 to 90 per cent of cases related to tobacco. That is why we are urging people to get the New Year off to a healthy start by giving up cigarettes.

To help you along the way, you can find advice and information from the charities' websites at www.crc.org.uk or www.imperialcancer.co.uk from the beginning of January.

Alternatively, you could also visit your local doctor's surgery and ask your GP for support or call Quitline on 0800 002200.

FIONA CASTLE,

Imperial Cancer Research Fund.