See Through the Symptoms returns for Lung Cancer Awareness Month 2026

With just one week until Lung Cancer Awareness Month, our award-winning See Through the Symptoms campaign is back, calling on GPs and primary care teams to consider lung cancer regardless of a person's age or smoking history.

Too many people in our communities were diagnosed late. Not because they ignored their symptoms, but because lung cancer wasn't considered. Some were told they were too young, too healthy or too unlikely to have the disease.

Yet around 15% of people diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK have never smoked. Many are diagnosed at an advanced stage.

Real people. Real symptoms.

Photographed by internationally renowned photographer Rankin, See Through the Symptoms features nine people affected by lung cancer, each holding their own chest X-ray.

Their stories challenge assumptions about who develops lung cancer and highlight symptoms that can be missed or attributed to other conditions.

These include persistent cough, breathlessness, fatigue, back or shoulder pain, recurrent chest infections and unexplained swelling.

The message to healthcare professionals is straightforward: when symptoms are persistent or unexplained, consider lung cancer, whatever someone's age or smoking history.

Help us share the campaign this November

See Through the Symptoms was developed by ALK Positive Lung Cancer UK, EGFR Positive Lung Cancer UK and the Ruth Strauss Foundation, with support from the British Thoracic Oncology Group and other organisations.

The campaign won Public Health Initiative of the Year in 2022 and continues to encourage earlier recognition, investigation and referral.

As Lung Cancer Awareness Month approaches, we're asking healthcare professionals, organisations and supporters to help get these messages seen.

Visit seethroughthesymptoms.uk to explore the campaign and access resources for healthcare professionals.

Because lung cancer can affect anyone, and earlier diagnosis saves lives.