Detect Cancer Early campaign launched in Scotland

Monday, February 20, 2012

The £30 million drive will aim to improve survival rates in bowel cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer, by increasing the number of people diagnosed in the earliest stages of their disease.

It is hoped the programme will save more than 300 lives a year by the end of the next Parliamentary term, and from today a publicity drive of television and radio adverts starts.

At the launch, Ms Sturgeon was joined by Glenys Marra, a bowel cancer survivor and friend of Bowel Cancer UK.  Glenys was diagnosed with bowel cancer in November 2009 after she had suffered extreme tiredness for some months and was diagnosed with diabetes type 2 and high blood pressure.  Even after these conditions were treated, she didn't feel much better and in November 2009 Glenys completed a routine bowel screening kit, followed by a colonoscopy.

The screening revealed many bleeding polyps and a tumour was found. Glenys then had two tumours and a lymph node removed. Glenys' cancer is now in remission and she currently attends regular screenings.

Glenys said "I urge all eligible people to get screened or to go to their doctor if they are worried. It is what saved my life."

Speaking at the launch of the programme, Ms Sturgeon said, "Scotland has made good progress in cancer treatment during the last two decades. However, we continue to lag behind other parts of Europe for cancer survival rates. And with an aging population, the incidence of cancer is set to increase and more complex treatments will be required. More action is therefore needed and this plan sets out how we intend to achieve that."

The initial campaign activity will focus on the benefits of presenting early to your GP with symptoms of cancer, and this will be followed by a second wave of activity to highlight the symptoms of the individual cancers.

For more information on Detect Cancer Early click here.