Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance is urging people with signs and symptoms of lung cancer to visit a GP.

The Cancer Alliance also suggests people who notice any unusual changes to their body should make an appointment.

This is exactly what Sue Woodward did two years ago, and she's hoping she'll soon be free of the disease.

In 2018, Sue's partner Keith visited his GP for a check-up and after investigations, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Keith is still being treated palliatively and remains under the care of a York consultant.

Four years later, Sue began noticing an unexpected development - night sweats.

"I didn't understand why, at 71, having long since gone through the menopause, I was waking up with night sweats, so I decided to see my GP.

Luckily, they were sympathetic and referred me to York Hospital on the variable symptoms' pathway. The hospital arranged a CT scan, and in April 22 following biopsy they identified a tumour in my right lung, which had spread to other nodes in my central chest area.

"Of course, Keith and I were rocked and life had turned upside down yet again, but I received fantastic support from Macmillan Specialist Lung Cancer Nursing Support team, and clinicians. Following six cycles of chemotherapy, the tumour had reduced in size. I was then admitted to Castle Hill Hospital, where my surgeon and his team operated to remove part of my right lung.

"Four chemo sessions later, the tumour had reduced, and in December, the surgeons at Castle Hill removed some of it, but I still had cancer in the centre.

"I spent six months recovering, but I also kept active as much as possible, to give me a fighting chance. I restarted swimming and walking, and I ate and slept well, which I really think helped me.  After six months a scan showed a recurrence of the cancer in the chest area.

"The clinical team showed me incredible support and I met with a new consultant, who suggested combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy at Leeds Hospital. I travelled daily from York to Leeds for 30 sessions of radiotherapy, plus another four cycles of Chemotherapy. This was tough, but my work to get my body back into shape paid dividends and gave me the strength and mindset to see it through, with support from my family and clinical teams.

"In October 2023, I had an encouraging result from my CT scan and began immunotherapy of 13 four weekly sessions back at York.  Although my last scan showed that cancer had returned, I'm going to keep fighting, and thinking positive.

"It just shows that even though there are traditional symptoms for lung cancer, it can also become apparent in less obvious ways. I consider myself highly lucky. Please, if you notice any differences to your body, don't wait, because it might be too late otherwise".

Clinton had given up smoking 27 years before his stage four lung cancer diagnosis in July 2021.

"My mother had died of lung cancer, 12 years before my diagnosis,  so I was aware of the dangers related to smoking. Some years prior to Mum's passing, my son was diagnosed with asthma, which was the catalyst to my kicking of the smoking habit, and I suceeded. But it wasn't easy - I seemed surrounded by smokers, as smoking was still was considered normal, back then.

"It was May 2021. I was in the shower one morning, when I coughed up some blood. It got me thinking, as I'd had a few bad chest infections over the years. I'd also noticed crackling in my left-hand side when breathing, too.

"I went to my GP and was refered to the chest clinique at Castle hill Hospital, where they took an X-ra. They found something on my lungs. In my head, I knew the outcome. This was followed by a scan and biopsy of the lung.

"Whilst awaiting my fate, I asked my son if he would accompany me to the Latitude festival. We love music and I'd been looking forward to it for ages. But unfortunately, I fell very ill whilst in the arena. I began coughing up large amounts of phlegm and so I went back to my tent in the hope of sleeping and recovering enough to enjoy the rest of the weekend. My son found me later and realising I was really ill, he sent for the paramedics, and I ended up in one hospital or another for most of that summer. It was at that point my diagnosis with stage four lung cancer was confirmed.

"I could have easily fallen into depression at the news, and being put into palliative care from the start. But I resolved to stay strong and fight for life and my loved ones. I wanted to go to more festivals with my family and live life to the full, if possible.

"After a bumpy start with medication, I've been on immunotherapy and gene therapy for nearly three years, and I'm pleased to say doing really well. I've lost weight through hitting the gym and changing my diet, and I really think being active has helped me keep the cancer at bay and recover when my health has hit some lows.

"I'd urge anyone with lung cancer symptoms to see a doctor. I wish in hindsight I'd been more proactive and seen a GP earlier, but as a stubborn bloke, we tend to put surgery visits off for one reason or another. So I urge anyone to get yourself seen by a health professional if you have any concerns about your health."

"You're a miracle". That's what a nurse said to Maggie Drayton, who was initially told she had six months to live without treatment, or three years with treatment, after being diagnosed with later-stage lung cancer in 2019.

"This is partly why I say I'm living with lung cancer, not dying of the disease.

"Although I'm surprising medical staff with my cancer battle, my diagnosis was all too normal. I'd been coughing for about six months, and had been to see a GP and prescribed antibiotics, and my health wasn't improving. I'd also been losing weight, so that's two of the typical lung cancer symptoms - but I just thought it was a cough that I couldn't shake, which is easy to believe in this day and age.

"A CT scan found nodules on my lungs, and then a PET (positron emission tomography) scan confirmed I had metastatic lung cancer.

"I went through so many emotions, but the staff at Castle Hill were fantastic, and I had an operation to remove the cancer. Although they removed part of my left lung, the cancer was too deep in my right lung.

"I managed a year on immunotherapy before feeling too ill, but I'm a big believer in staying active, so I got out and about walking the dog.

"I have a scan every three months now, but I'm feeling pretty good, and there's been no changes for ages. My Macmillan Cancer Support nurses have been brilliant, and Carole Scott has been wonderful.

"I'd say to anyone with a cough that's gone on for more than three weeks, and any other symptoms, like tiredness or losing weight, to tell your doctor something isn't right. And try and stay positive, because it's amazing what can be done for cancer these days."