The BC Lung Association

News Release: Blow So You Know - BC Health Advocates Urge Smokers & Ex-Smokers over 40 to Get Lungs Tested

Vancouver, BC – October 25, 2011 – A simple breathing test called Spirometry can test for serious lung disease, yet only 32 per cent of current and former British Columbian smokers over age 40 are aware of it, according to the Lung Association. Together with Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Region Health Authority partners, the Association is calling upon all smokers and ex-smokers over the age of 40, and experiencing difficulty breathing, to get tested.

“Spirometry is one of the most effective ways to test your lungs for chronic lung disease including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma. It is a painless test that takes only a few minutes,” said Dr. Mark FitzGerald, Head of Respiratory Medicine for UBC and Vancouver Coastal Health.

“Too many people with chronic lung disease remain undiagnosed,” continued Dr. Mark FitzGerald. “In fact, more people are being admitted to Canadian hospitals each year with chronic lung disease (specifically COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema) than any other major chronic illness (including heart attacks) and that number has been increasing dramatically in recent years,” he added.

“Often people who suffer from symptoms such as shortness of breath chronic cough and frequent chest infections and are having a hard time doing regular activities like walking – just don’t get checked,” said Veda Peters, Nurse and Health Educator for the BC Lung Association “Yet, the earlier the test is performed, the earlier chronic lung disease can be detected, treated and quality of life improved.”

Fast Facts

What is Spirometry?

· Spirometry is a breathing test that measures both how much air you can breathe out, and how fast you can breathe it out. During a test, you breathe hard into a machine (a spirometer) that measures how much air you can move out of your lungs and how fast you can blow it out.

· The earlier spirometry is performed, the earlier lung disease can be detected and treated. Quality of life can be improved through proper management of lung disease.

· Spirometry can be used to diagnose and manage many different types of lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. If you have questions or concerns about your lung health, talk to your doctor about spirometry.

What is the relationship between COPD and Spirometry?

· COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, another name for chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

· COPD makes airways swollen and partly blocked by mucus. It also damages the tiny air sacs at the end of your airways. This makes it hard to move air in and out of your lungs. There is no cure for COPD but there are good treatments.

· COPD is a long-term lung disease most often caused by smoking.

· COPD is a major cause of disability and death in Canada and throughout the world. According to a recent study, 1.5 million Canadians report having COPD, and another 1.6 million report that they have symptoms of COPD but have not been diagnosed.

Who is at risk of COPD?

· All smokers and ex-smokers over 40 years of age should take this simple quiz (the Canadian Lung Health Test) and talk to their doctor about spirometry.

· The main symptoms of COPD are shortness of breath and having a hard time doing regular activities, such as walking.

· COPD is Canada’s fourth leading cause of death and is growing in prevalence.

· COPD is treatable. Early treatment can slow the decline in lung function and improve quality of life.

Katrina van Bylandt
Communications Manager
BC Lung Association

2675 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 2K2

T 604.731.5864
TF 1.800.665.5864
F 604.731.5810
www.bc.lung.ca