A WAVE of patient support groups are bringing hope to lung cancer patients.

Hospitals in the region are setting up the groups In line with Government policy.

Successful ones have been established in Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton and now a group is being set up in Bishop Auckland.

Margaret Waterhouse, 57, from Spennymoor, County Durham, was diagnosed with lung cancer nearly three years ago.

Recently, she and her husband, Frank, have been attending monthly meetings of the Darlington support group.

Both believe the experience has been valuable and are urging patients to get involved.

"It's a real morale booster for the patient and their carer. Apart from getting advice from specialist nurses, you also get a chance to meet other people in the same situation as yourself," said Mrs Waterhouse.

Karen Capenhurst, a specialist lung cancer nurse based at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, is organising the group in South-West Durham.

"Most acute hospital trusts in the region should have at least one specialist lung cancer nurse by now," she said.

Part of their duties is to encourage patients to form self-support groups to share the most up-to-date advice on managing symptoms and to help morale.

Because of improvements in the treatment of lung cancer many patients can now expect to live longer than they would have done a few years ago.

"The key is to have the illness diagnosed as soon as possible. The earlier you are diagnosed the better the outlook is," said Mrs Capenhurst.

The Darlington group has about 24 members and the Bishop Auckland group's first meeting was attended by 28.

* For more information about the Bishop Auckland group, call (01388) 455784.