A PRESTONPANS mum who battled lung cancer has urged people to follow her lead after crediting early diagnosis with her survival.

Viv Donaldson was diagnosed with the disease in May 2014 and has been given the all-clear after about 18 months of treatment and monitoring.

Viv, 56, who works at Preston Lodge High School, spoke out as part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

She said she sought help after experiencing unusual stomach pains and went through eight rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation to tackle the disease.

She said: "I had been having unusual stomach pains and on waking one morning they were more intense than before so I called NHS 24. I was referred to hospital and after examination by a nurse I was quickly sent for an x-ray. A consultant then told me they had seen something that had cause for concern.

"I couldn't believe it. I didn't think I had any obvious symptoms of lung cancer but when I think back now there were a few occasions where I found myself very breathless after doing activities that normally I had no problem with.

"The doctors told me as I was young and fit that they were positive about my outcome.

"My friends and family were so supportive and all rallied around me, which definitely helped me cope with the treatment.

"I am a very lucky lady and I now know the importance of getting checked as soon as possible if you are worried about anything.

"Early detection is so important and without it I perhaps wouldn't be here today."

Latest statistics reveal that the percentage of patients recorded as being diagnosed with lung cancer at the earliest stage has increased by 24.7 per cent since the launch of the Scottish Government's Detect Cancer Early programme.

However, nearly half of sufferers still do not seek help until they are in the latest stage of the disease.

Statistics show people are around 20 times more likely to survive lung cancer if it is detected early rather than in the latter stages.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Shona Robison said: "It's hugely encouraging that there has been an increase in the percentage of patients diagnosed with lung cancer at the earliest stage, and that there is increasing recognition of the signs and symptoms.

"However, even more lives could be saved through earlier detection so the message we want to get across this Lung Cancer Awareness Month is don't get scared, get checked."