Comedians unite to show that lung health is no laughing matter

Hull-comedian Lucy Beaumont and husband, Jon Richardson, urge local people to look out for the signs that someone should get a lung health check

Hull-comedian Lucy Beaumont and husband, Jon Richardson, are amongst a group of comedians who appear in a short film that urges local people to look and listen out for the signs that someone should get a lung health check as soon as possible.

The film featuring physical comedy duo the Kagools, magician Alan Hudson and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Mike P Kerr has been published on YouTube and Facebook this week and is the latest in a series from the ‘Check Your Lungs’ campaign led by Hull York Medical School and funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The cast of comedians tells viewers that if they see or hear someone displaying a symptom, such as, breathlessness, a cough for three weeks or more, persistent chest pain, coughing up blood or fatigue, they should be encouraged to get a lung check.

Lucy Beaumont agreed to help support the campaign by arranging for filming to take place back-stage at the recent Hullarity comedy gala held in aid of local charity, Backpack Buddies.

Jon Richardson, a regular on the Channel 4 show ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’ also takes part by telling viewers, “It may be nothing serious but you're not wasting anyone's time by getting checked out”.

Through supporting the Check Your Lungs campaign, the comedy performers are amongst those sharing the message that anyone showing symptoms that could be an early sign of lung cancer should be encouraged to make an appointment with their GP, call GP Access+ on 01482 247111 or visit a walk-in centre.

The release of the film also supports British Lung Foundation’s Love Your Lungs Week; raising awareness of the signs of lung disease and the importance of early diagnosis.

The main symptoms indicating that someone might need a lung check include: a cough that doesn’t go away after three weeks, a long-standing cough that gets worse, coughing up blood, an ache or pain when breathing or coughing, loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss, persistent chest infections, breathlessness and tiredness or lack of energy.

Watch the film on YouTube, and for more information about symptoms and how to get a lung check, visit www.checkyourlungs.co.uk