About Us

Who’s behind See Through the Symptoms

See Through the Symptoms is led by three UK-registered lung cancer charities: ALK Positive UK, EGFR Positive UK, and the Ruth Strauss Foundation.

We created this campaign to raise awareness of lung cancer in people who do not smoke. Many of the people we support were diagnosed late - not because they ignored symptoms, but because their concerns weren’t taken seriously.

This campaign is part of the wider All You Need Is Lungs initiative.

Who’s the campaign for?

This campaign is for healthcare professionals, especially in primary care - GPs, pharmacists, nurses, and others involved in early diagnosis.

It’s designed to help you recognise the signs of lung cancer in people who don’t fit the expected profile, including never-smokers and younger patients.

  • “Too many people in our community were diagnosed late, not because they didn’t ask for help, but because no one thought it could be lung cancer. We need professionals to look beyond the usual risk factors.”

    — Angela Terry, EGFR+ UK

  • “People like me were told we were too young, too healthy, too unlikely to have lung cancer. But it happens - and when it’s missed, it costs lives. This campaign is about making sure we’re seen, taken seriously, and diagnosed earlier.”

    — Debra Montague, ALK+ UK

  • “We see the impact lung cancer has on families who never expected it. People doing all the right things - and still missed. See Through the Symptoms is about pausing, rethinking, and acting sooner.”

    — Deepa Doshi, Ruth Strauss Foundation

What does the campaign do?

We use powerful visuals and simple messages to highlight:

  • That lung cancer can affect people who have never smoked

  • That subtle symptoms can still be serious

  • The importance of considering lung cancer early, even in lower-risk patients

Why does it matter?

Around 15%-20% of lung cancer cases in the UK are in people who have never smoked. Many are diagnosed at stage IV - too late for curative treatment.

By challenging assumptions and encouraging earlier investigation, we can help change that.

  • EGFR Positive UK is a lung cancer charity focused on supporting and improving the overall survival and quality of life of EGFR+ patients across the UK.

    Visit

  • ALK Positive Lung Cancer (UK) specialises in providing support, advocacy, and a better quality of life for all ALK+ lung cancer patients across the UK.

    Visit

  • Ruth Strauss Foundation supports families facing the death of a parent to cancer and drivies the need for more research into non-smoking lung cancers.

    Visit

Contact us.

hello@allyouneedislungs