BLF Bulletin
The latest news from the British Lung Foundation
Winter 2015
Finding the missing millions
Around three million people in the UK have COPD, but over two million are
undiagnosed.
On World COPD Day, our Chief Executive, Dr Penny Woods explained why raising
awareness of COPD matters:
Many people have never heard of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
But it’s estimated up to three million people are living with the condition in the
UK. Fewer than one million are diagnosed. This means that over two million
people are living with this disease, undiagnosed, unaware and unassisted.
COPD causes long-term damage to the lungs, resulting in breathing difficulties.
People often get severely breathless. Simple things like climbing up stairs or
putting on a pair of socks can become a tremendous challenge.
COPD is the second most common cause of emergency hospital admission in the
UK. Every year it’s estimated that 94,000 people are admitted, costing the NHS
over £800 million.
Raising awareness so that people get symptoms checked out as early as possible
and supporting health care professionals to make earlier, accurate diagnoses is
key if we are to find the ‘missing millions’ in the UK.
World COPD Day on 19 November was about raising these questions and making
sure that people have the necessary tools they need to take control of this
disease.
Patient passport launched
On World COPD Day we launched our patient passport to support people living
with COPD.
In partnership with the Primary Care Respiratory Society (PCRS-UK) we have
created the first ever nationally available and fully comprehensive COPD patient
passport.
It’s a practical tool to enable people with COPD to get the right support and
manage their condition better.
It aims to help people living with COPD to discuss their condition with their doctor
or nurse and recognise how their care could be improved.
The digital version that creates a personalised passport is at
www.blf.org.uk/passport.
Living well with COPD
Sarah, who helps people with lung conditions to improve their breathlessness,
shares her tips.
 Be active
Everyone should stay active and control their weight, but it’s really key if
you have COPD. A pulmonary rehabilitation class is a great way to begin to
exercise regularly. Ask your doctor to refer you.
 Have your flu vaccine
Getting flu can cause problems and trigger a flare-up of your condition, so
get an annual flu jab.
 Pace yourself and plan ahead
Think about how to save energy and reduce your feelings of breathlessness.
Get to know your body and what works for you. Maybe a certain chest
clearing technique helps or certain times of day are best for some activities.
 Regular reviews
Get regular help and advice from your doctor or nurse. Our patient passport
is there to help.
 Keep warm
If you’re going out in the cold weather, wrap up and choose the warmest
times of day.
 Talk to others
Share your problems. Having a long-term condition can put a strain on
relationships. Difficulty breathing and coughing can make you feel tired and
depressed. Those close to you can feel anxious too. It’s important to talk
about your worries together.
For advice and support call our helpline on 03000 030 555.
Looking ahead to 2015
Our review of our impact in 2013-14 is now available.
It’s been a remarkable year for the BLF. Together with thousands of you across
the country, we succeeded in getting enabling legislation to ban smoking in cars
with children.
We’ve also campaigned for a sustainable mesothelioma research fund, launched
our idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) project with a landmark patient charter
and expanded our Breathe Easy support groups thanks to funding from innovation
charity Nesta.
Next year is the 30th anniversary of the BLF. We will reinvigorate our
determination to make a difference to people living with a lung condition and
campaign for positive change in the nation’s lung health. Our focus will remain on
COPD, lung cancer, mesothelioma and IPF.
We’ll push to ensure that laws on standardised tobacco packaging and the ban on
smoking in cars carrying children are introduced.
Children’s lung health will be a new priority. We’ll consult parents and health care
professionals and plan how to raise awareness and support families with babies
and children with breathing problems.
Over the past three decades, we’ve spent more than £24 million on scientific
research. In the next 12 months, we’ll put our new research strategy into action
and fund more excellent science that will make a difference.
BE groups will get a copy of the review early in January or you can go to
www.blf.org.uk/2014 to view it online.
Promoting Breathe Easy online
In 2015, Breathe Easy groups will be able to promote themselves in new, exciting
ways.
There will be a new photo album on each group’s web page. Big, bold photos will
let you show off what your group has been up to.
We will share BE stories on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Over 16,000 people
subscribe, so it’s a great opportunity to share your news.
We’ve also launched a blog on our website. Every few weeks we’ll feature a
Breathe Easy group event. Your group support officer will send details in January.
Make sure to send your photos and stories to breathe.easy@blf.org.uk.
What’s your new year’s resolution?
Ann shares how being active has changed her life:
I was diagnosed with COPD 15 years ago. My breathlessness slowly got worse and
everyday life became more difficult. I was in hospital every few months and had
more medication and inhalers.
Three years ago, I had a very bad flare-up. While I was in hospital, Sarah, a BLF
nurse, suggested I go to pulmonary rehabilitation.
At first I struggled: two minutes on an exercise bike, 14 wall pushes, two minutes
slowly on a flat treadmill, the smallest weights for five or six goes… and I was
exhausted! But after a few weeks encouraged by Andy, our instructor, I began to
feel much better. My stamina improved a little each week.
Now I do 10 minutes at level 12 on the bike, 50 of each exercise using one-and-ahalf kilo weights and 50 step ups. I have a pedometer and a puppy and walk twice
a day. I swim every week. I’ve even been kayaking.
I don’t use my nebuliser much and I’ve lent my mobility scooter to a neighbour.
I’ve not been in hospital again.
Exercise has dramatically improved my health. I have a social life too as I’ve made
many good friends.
To read Ann’s blog, visit www.blf.org.uk/blog.