Fresh plea by Sir Alex to cut cancer deaths
Health Reporter SIR Alex Ferguson has made a fresh appeal to the Scottish public to help save more lives from a disease that claimed both his parents.
The Govan-born former Manchester United boss is fronting a new campaign, urging anyone who has had a cough for more than three weeks to visit their GP.
Figures show more Scots than ever before are surviving lung cancer thanks to earlier detection and improved treatments.
Previous adverts featuring Sir Alex as part of the government’s Detect Cancer Early campaign have also been credited for boosting awareness of the disease.
His father Alexander died from lung cancer in 1979 and his mother Elizabeth died from the disease in 1986. Both were in their 60s.
New figures show the number of people being diagnosed with lung cancer at stage one has increased by 39% in Scotland and 40% in the most deprived areas.
The survival rate for those diagnosed at a stage one is almost 20 times higher than for those diagnosed at a later stage.
Sir Alex said: “If you’re worried about yourself or a loved one because of a persistent cough lasting three weeks or more then don’t delay in making a GP appointment.
“If it’s found early then there is a lot that can be done to treat lung cancer.”
Signs of lung cancer include a cough that doesn’t go away, a change in a cough you have had for a long time, being short of breath, an ache or pain in the chest or shoulder, loss of appetite and feeling very tired.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “There’s lots that can be done to treat lung cancer and as a result of better treatments and increased rates of early detection, more people than ever in Scotland are surviving.
“But there’s still more to be done and we need to get the message out loud and clear that the earlier you come forward to get checked or be screened, the better. It could save your life.
“The Scottish Government’s £100m cancer strategy is our commitment to improving outcomes over the next five to ten years, focusing on specific actions to help prevent cancer, diagnose people more quickly and deliver even better care and treatment.
“We will go on investing in early detection and campaigns like this with the clear aim of boosting early detection and improving survival rates even further.”