Doncaster Rovers players Matt Mills and Mark Wilson are encouraging fans to tackle their long running coughs ahead of the Rovers vs. Swindon game on Friday night (April 11th), to help raise awareness of the early symptoms of lung cancer.

Doncaster Rovers against Swindon Town has been designated as the Cough Cough Game, as part of a wider Doncaster Primary Care Trust (PCT) initiative to increase lung cancer survival rates amongst 50-70 year olds.

Doncaster Rovers' player Matt Mills, said: "It's really important that people know about the early symptoms of lung cancer and we are urging our fans to tell their mates about the campaign, particularly any persistent coughers in the crowd.

"Making Friday's game the 'Cough Cough Game' is a great way for the players to help raise awareness amongst our fans and get the message across: If you or anyone you know have any of the symptoms, please go along and see your doctor now."

People within the 50-70 age range who have been suffering from a cough for three weeks or more, are coughing up spots of blood or have a cough that has changed should visit their GP at the earliest opportunity.

Doncaster has one of the highest rates of the disease in the country (16th out of 152 PCTs in the UK), with 39% more new cases of lung cancer every year than the UK average.

Dr Rupert Suckling, who is charged with over-seeing the campaign for Doncaster PCT, commented: "It's important that people understand that lung cancer is a treatable disease - and chances of survival are much better if it is caught early. I hope this campaign will encourage people with lung cancer symptoms to go and ask their GP for a chest x-ray now."

Doncaster has been selected by the NHS to pilot the campaign due to the high prevalence of lung cancer in the area. If the campaign is successful, it could be rolled out across other areas in the region and ultimately the UK.