Tom Brake MP joins search to find the missing millions with killer disease

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 10th May 2007

Tom Brake MP completes wordsearch for British Lung Foundation

Carshalton and Wallington MP, Tom Brake, demonstrated his support for the British Lung Foundation's 'Missing Millions' campaign at a Lung Health Awareness Day at the House of Commons on 9th May.

The 'Missing Millions' campaign aims to raise awareness of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a lung condition that affects more than three million people in the UK and kills more people than breast, bowel or prostate cancer. More than two of the three million remain undiagnosed. The British Lung Foundation is trying to find them by raising awareness of the disease.

COPD is a progressive, irreversible lung disease yet it is both preventable and treatable and early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progression of the illness. Symptoms include a persistent cough, breathing problems, a wheezy chest, and recurrent chest infections.

While taking part in the 'Missing Millions' wordsearch game to learn more about the symptoms of COPD, Tom Brake MP said: "I have no hesitation in throwing my weight behind the British Lung Foundation's 'Missing Millions' campaign. It is alarming that so many people might have this disease but not know it. I want to do my bit to help find these 'Missing Millions'."

Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation said: "We are pleased that Tom Brake MP is supporting our campaign. It is so important that those with COPD are diagnosed early so that they can get the treatment they need as early as possible. We hope that Tom Brake will be able to take the message back to his constituents and make them aware of the symptoms of COPD."

Anyone who wants more information about the British Lung Foundation or about COPD should visit www.lunguk.org or call the BLF Helpline on 08458 50 20 20.

Notes to Editors:

1. The British Lung Foundation is the only UK charity working for everyone affected by lung disease. The charity focuses its resources on providing support for people affected by lung disease today; and works in a variety of ways (including funding world-class research) to bring about positive change, to improve treatment, care and support for people affected by lung disease in the future.

It provides information via the website www.lunguk.org and telephone helpline 08458 50 50 20.

2. In 2006 the charity launched a membership scheme with the aim of recruiting the 8 million people with lung disease in the UK and anyone with an interest in lung disease.

3. One person in every seven in the UK is affected by lung disease - this equates to approximately 8 million people

4. Respiratory disease is the second biggest killer in the UK (117,456 deaths in 20042) after all non-respiratory cancers combined which only account for slightly more deaths (122,500 deaths in UK in 2004)

5. Respiratory disease now kills one in five people in the UK

6. The UK's death rate from respiratory disease is almost double the European average and the 6th highest in Europe

7. Respiratory disease is the most commonly reported long term illness in children and the third most commonly reported in adults. One in 7 boys and 1 in 8 girls aged 2 - 15 report having long term respiratory illness in England