One third of Irish smokers claiming to be unconcerned about being diagnosed with lung cancer

Smokers are putting their heads in the sand when it comes to contemplating the potential of developing lung cancer with one third of Irish adults claiming to be unconcerned about being diagnosed with the disease even when displaying a range of symptoms.

The finding is contained in a new survey by the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) which also found that one third of smokers are afraid to go to the doctor for fear of what they might be told.

Kevin O’Hagan, cancer prevention manager at the Irish Cancer Society, said that there was a “kind of fatalism” among smokers in their attitudes to lung cancer.