A Darlington woman who says X-rays saved her life after being diagnosed with lung cancer is calling for the scans to be the norm for all patients.

When Alison McHugh was diagnosed with lung cancer at 56, it felt like a horrible case of déjà vu, after Alison’s father had died of the disease at about the same age.

The 56-year-old was feeling tired and occasionally felt a tightening in her chest when a friend persuaded her to go the doctors, but was otherwise fit and healthy and had previously ran the New York marathon.

“Almost as an afterthought, the GP said she would send me for an X-ray ‘just in case’,” she said.

“That X-ray changed my life.”

Alison McHugh.Alison McHugh. (Image: PR) Despite all her other tests being clear, doctors said the X-ray flagged something “concerning” and she was sent for further tests. She was later diagnosed with lung cancer.

Alison added: “Sadly, my experience isn’t everyone. Many people aren’t sent for those vital tests as quickly, but they should be. I should be the rule, not the exception.

“The most important thing is the first scan since my operation showed I am cancer free. It’s an incredible feeling, especially as I have seen the other side of lung cancer.

“My dad’s experience couldn’t have been more different. It just shows the progress that has been made.”

She underwent three rounds of chemo to shrink the tumour so it was small enough for surgery.

(Image: PR) “I had my surgery at the end of February 2024 and, whilst I am still experiencing some discomfort, I consider myself to be so lucky.

“I do get tired, and I’ve had to put some of the things I used to do before I had cancer aside for now but gradually, my stamina is improving. I live alone and still do all my own chores. Just no more marathons for the time being.”

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Alison is also now joining a national campaign to have ‘labels’ dropped from cancer as a reminder that anyone can be diagnosed, not just smokers.

“Lung cancer is still so intrinsically linked to smoking,” Paula Chadwick, chief executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation said. “But the reality is anyone can get this disease, regardless of if they have smoked or not.

“The more people we spoke to, the more we recognised that labels like smoker and non-smoker were having a direct impact on how quickly people were being diagnosed. That is why we are calling for a stop to these archaic labels. Lung cancer doesn’t see them, and neither should we.”