AN X-RAY image of Shadow Health Minister Andy Burnham's chest is among a parliamentary photographic exhibition to raise awareness of lung cancer.

The Leigh MP is among a group of politicians photographed holding their own lung x-rays which are accompanied by statements explaining the reason for their involvement in battle against cancer worldwide.

In the UK lung cancer causes around 35,000 deaths a year.

The exhibition is a joint project between the charity Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and pharmaceutical company Boehringher Ingelheim on display in a pop-up exhibition in the Jubilee Room, in the House of Commons.

Mr Burnham said: “I am lending my support to this excellent campaign. Greater awareness of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer is vital so that people don’t delay going to see their GP. The earlier we can detect cancer, the more lives we can save.”

Paula Chadwick, interim chief executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said: “Every 15 minutes somebody in the UK dies from lung cancer.

“This exhibition will help to raise awareness among parliamentarians of three key issues: supporting the introduction of a national lung cancer awareness publicity campaign; tackling regional variations in treatment and care; and backing plans to introduce plain packaging on cigarettes in order to prevent the next generation of lung cancer victims.”

The main signs and symptoms of lung cancer are:

• A cough that doesn’t go away after two or three weeks

• Worsening or change to long standing cough

• Repeated chest infections

• Coughing up blood

• Unexplained persistent breathlessness

• Unexplained persistent tiredness

• Unexplained persistent weight loss

• Persistent chest and/or shoulder pain

If you have any of these symptoms for more than three weeks, make an appointment with your GP today. It may be nothing serious but it is worth getting checked out.

For information on local support groups and general information on lung cancer issues call the freephone helpline on 0800 358 7200 or visit www.roycastle.org

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