A BASINGSTOKE dad who almost missed the chance of a lung cancer cure is urging others to ‘get on the right path’ to an early diagnosis.

Ian Vizer admits his ‘stubborn’ nature could have cost him his life, if he hadn’t finally listened to the advice of his wife and daughters-in-law.

Now he has learned his lesson and is determined to help others navigate their way through the healthcare system to ensure they are diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

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Ian, 63, from Basingstoke, said: "I had a cough that started in January, but I didn't go to my doctor until April. Initially, I put it down to the latest variant of Covid. But then, as it persisted, my wife and daughters-in-law kept on at me to go. But I'm stubborn, so I didn't! It sounds ridiculous, but that’s typical of so many men, I guess."

When he did finally go to his doctor, they also thought his cough might be a symptom of Covid.

However, Ian was adamant that it wasn’t, and so he pushed his doctor for an X-ray. Following further tests, Ian was diagnosed with stage 2 non-small cell lung cancer, meaning it was still at a relatively early stage of progression. More treatment options are available when lung cancer is diagnosed at the earlier stages.

In July, he was admitted to hospital for surgery to have a tumour in the lower left lobe of his lung removed.

He said: "I’m one of the lucky ones, aren’t I? Some days I still think to myself, was it all a dream? I was diagnosed with lung cancer just a few months ago and look at me now! Even the surgeon, just 24 hours after my operation, couldn't believe how well I looked. He just stood there grinning from ear to ear.

"I feel so well. I'm out walking. The other day I was pushing my youngest grandson up a hill in his buggy. I was breathing a little bit more heavily, but I did it and I'll keep building my lungs back up. I'm just so relieved I have the chance to do that and it's all because I was diagnosed so early."

However, while Ian's diagnosis and treatment might appear to have been swift and straightforward, he believes there are still lessons to be learned from how he reacted to symptoms.

"I knew it wasn't Covid even though the clinical practitioner kept suggesting it probably was. I'm so proud of myself for pushing for an X-ray. Who knows what could have happened if I hadn’t?’’

He is now sharing his story to promote a lung health awareness campaign launched by Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, the UK charity that offers help and support to all affected by the disease. The aim of the campaign, called On the Right Path, is to help speed up diagnostic pathways and ensure all patients receive the appropriate treatment as early as possible. It runs throughout November, which is recognised worldwide as Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Lung cancer can be difficult to diagnose early. Symptoms can be vague and overlap with those of Covid, flu and other respiratory illnesses. On top of this, misconceptions about lung cancer and what a ‘typical’ patient might look like can mean many people aren't diagnosed as promptly as they ought to be.

On top of this, the impact of the pandemic and other structural challenges mean that the NHS is still struggling to recover from a treatment backlog. The health service is attempting to increase the number of patients being referred and tested for all forms of cancer, including lung cancer.

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Around 48,500 new lung cancer cases are diagnosed in the UK every year, equivalent to 130 every day. It is the third most common cancer in the UK and the second most common cancer in women.

Early diagnosis is key to better outcomes. The sooner lung cancer is spotted, the faster doctors can treat the patient. This means that prompt action, both by healthcare professionals and the public, is more now more vital than ever, according to Paula Chadwick, chief executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

She added: "We’re clear that everyone – and this includes family doctors and specialists – needs to aware of the signs and symptoms of lung cancer, and the fact that it can affect anyone at any stage in life. The sooner such signs are spotted and acted on, the sooner a person can be set on the right path to diagnosis and treatment.

"This is why our campaign is so important. This year, more than ever before, we are urging everyone to help themselves and each other, by acting swiftly if they spot changes in their health. Get checked out, and make sure you get on the right path to diagnosis and treatment as quickly as possible.’’