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Objective The incidence of lung cancer is four times higher in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared with the general population. Promotion of a shorter time from symptom onset to presentation is one potential strategy for earlier lung cancer diagnosis, but distinguishing respiratory symptoms can be difficult. We investigated how the experience of COPD influences symptom appraisal and help seeking for potential lung cancer symptoms. Methods We conducted qualitative interviews with men (n = 17) and women (n = 23) aged 40 to 83 years with COPD. Topic guides drew on the integrated symptom‐response framework and covered symptom experience, interpretation, action, recognition, help seeking, evaluation, and reevaluation. We used the framework method to analyse the data. Results Participants said that they attributed chest symptoms to their COPD; no other cause was considered. Participants said that family/friends noticed changes in their symptoms and encouraged help seeking. Others felt isolated by their COPD because they could not get out, were fatigued, or were embarrassed. Participants visited health professionals frequently, but increased risk of lung cancer was not discussed. Conclusions Our study provides insight into different levels of influence on symptom appraisal and targets for intervention. Greater awareness of increased lung cancer risk and support to act on symptom changes is essential and could be achieved through a concerted information campaign. Health professionals working with people with COPD could also optimise appointments to support symptom appraisal of potential lung cancer symptoms.

A comparison was made between the Robertshaw and the Carlens or White tubes for ease of insertion and success of positioning in patients about to undergo thoracotomy. The Carlens and the left Robertshaw tubes performed equally but the 35 Carlens was successfully used in three patients in whom the small Robertshaw had proven to be unsuitable. The White tube, however, was inferior to the right Robertshaw because it was found impossible to seal the bronchial cuff satisfactorily in many of the cases in which it was used.

Modification of techniques of mental nerve block which provide both soft tissue and dental anaesthesia results in a simple, safe technique which should be more frequently considered as an alternative to general anaesthesia for use in soft tissue surgery of the lower lip.