Wednesday, 17th November marked this year’s World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day. The Department of Health’s Respiratory Department based at Noble’s Hospital and GP surgeries across the Island joined the British Lung Foundation's campaign with the aim of increasing awareness amongst Isle of Man residents of COPD, which is an umbrella term for a number of conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD is a progressive, irreversible lung disease often caused by smoking or industrial pollution such as asbestos and rare auto-immune lung disorders; however, if diagnosed early, it is treatable and manageable. COPD currently kills more people in the UK every year than colon cancer, more men than prostate cancer and more women than breast cancer. The Minister for Health Mr David Anderson MHK said, “I welcome this initiative between Noble’s Hospital, Ramsey Group Practice and Public Health and would ask anyone who is concerned or displaying respiratory problems to contact their GP immediately. COPD is often associated with smoking; the health benefits of stopping smoking have been clear for some time, but never more so than when you take account of the debilitating effects of respiratory disease.” To mark World COPD Day 2010, Ramsey Group Practice carried out screening at the town's main Shoprite supermarket. A Quit4You Advisor was also on hand during the afternoon to discuss with smokers the support available to help them to quit. There was also an information display in the Medical Outpatients Clinic at Noble’s Hospital, Braddan. The awareness campaign comes after a discussion workshop was held on the Island in October on the COPD National Clinical Strategy (NCS). The UK Department of Health, the NHS, patients, clinicians and other key stakeholders have been working together to identify the best ways to improve care and outcomes for those with COPD and to reduce the overall prevalence of the disease. The Isle of Man was involved in the 2008 National COPD Audit, which contributed data towards the formulation of the NCS. COPD of course isn’t a condition that limits itself to one day of the year and advice and support is on hand from GPs and Quit4You Advisors year-round. Dr Alex Allinson, a GP at Ramsey Group Practice said, "We want to encourage anyone who is concerned or thinks they may have symptoms of COPD, which is primarily an inability to breathe in and out properly, to visit their GP and ask for information. Many people dismiss what is termed as ‘smokers cough’, but, if persistent, this can often be a sign that something may be wrong with the respiratory system. The test itself is quite simple and harmless; it involves blowing into a mouth piece after a deep breath with the lung volume and the amount breathed out over the first second measured. This data can then be compared with a predicted value calculated according to age, sex and height. I think the key message is simple, if in doubt, get it checked out." Symptoms to watch for, as highlighted by the British Lung Foundation's campaign, include a persistent cough and a wheezy chest. The campaign also encourages smokers or ex-smokers who are over the age of 35 to talk to their GP about getting their lung function tested. - ENDS -