Central West residents are being urged to be lung health aware, with multiple respiratory awareness days coming up between May and the end of the year.
The days start with World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, then World Bronchiectasis Day on 1 July, World Lung Cancer Day on 1 August, World Lung Day on 25 September, World Pneumonia Day on 12 November and finishing with World COPD Day on 18 November.
In addition, the whole month of November is also Lung Cancer Awareness Month.
Central West Hospital and Health Service Executive Director of Medical Services Dr David Walker said the importance of maintaining good lung health was the common denominator for all the upcoming respiratory awareness events.
“According to Cancer Council Queensland data, each year around 2,300 Queenslanders will learn they have lung cancer,’’ Dr Walker said.
“About 58 per cent of these will be male and the rest female.
“Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Australia, but the leading cause of cancer death, with an average age of diagnosis of 72 years.
“Australia-wide, there’s a 1 in 21 risk of diagnosis by the age of 85. In addition, while mortality is falling in men, it is increasing in women.
“This is why the Commonwealth Government launched the National Lung Cancer Screening Program in July 2025 for eligible people aged 50 to 70 years old with a medical referral.
“To make accessing the program easier in rural and areas, the Commonwealth has partnered with Heart of Australia to deliver a special lung cancer screening service that will start operating in Queensland from September and visiting Barcaldine, Blackall and Winton.
“Central West Health will be collaborating with the national program and Heart of Australia to ensure eligible people can access this special service.’’
Dr Walker said tobacco smoking in Australia accounted for around 90 per cent of all lung cancer cases in men and 65 per cent women.
“This is something of which Central West communities should be aware,’’ he said.
“According to the most recent Health of Queenslanders Report, 13 per cent of Central West residents reported they smoked regularly, which was 39 per higher than the state average.
“We also had 14 per cent of pregnant women reporting they smoked during pregnancy.
“But as well as smoking directly, passive smoking – exposure to second-hand smoke – also raises the risk of lung cancer for non-smokers by 30 per cent.
“So, if there is just one single thing Central West residents can do to maintain their lung health it is to stop smoking now and our health service can arrange support for people seeking to quit.’’
Dr Walker said other lung cancer risk factors included such as asbestos exposure, workplace toxic exposure, older age and pre-existing health conditions.
Pre-existing health conditions included conditions such lung fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, emphysema or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), all of which could increase the risk of developing lung tumours.
“By reducing these risk factors, primarily by avoiding smoking and tobacco, limiting exposure to second-hand smoke and environmental toxins like radon and asbestos, you can reduce the overall risk of developing lung cancer,’’ Dr Walker said.
He said recognising potential signs and symptoms of lung cancer could lead to earlier medical care.
Some common sighs to look for included:
- A new persistent cough lasting more than three weeks,
- Unexplained breathlessness,
- Pain in the chest, upper back, and shoulder unrelated to any known injury.
- A persistent and recurrent chest infection that lasts more than three weeks.
- Coughing up blood or rust coloured phlegm.
Lung cancer also can cause other additional symptoms such as wheezing, fatigue, weight loss, hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, joint pain, neck or face swelling, and enlarged fingertips (finger clubbing).
“If you’re concerned about any of the above factors, please don’t hesitate to talk to your GP or dedicated healthcare team,’’ Dr Walker said.
“We’re here to help you be and stay lung healthy.’’
Some useful links:
- National Lung Cancer Screening Program: https://www.health.gov.au/ourwork/nlcsp
- Heart of Australia: https://heartofaustralia.com.au/lung-cancer-screening/
- Health of Queenslanders: https://www.choreport.health.qld.gov.au/
- Cancer Council Queensland: https://cancerqld.org.au/cancer/lung-cancer/
- Lung Cancer Screening Helpline – 1800 654 301.
- Quit HQ – https://www.quithq.initiatives.qld.gov.au