Buddies urged to‘be the early bird’with symptoms
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde backed a new campaign encouraging people with possible cancer symptoms to seek help without delay.
The Scottish Government’s‘Be the Early Bird’campaign reinforces the benefits of finding cancer at an earlier stage when there’s more treatment options available, a greater likelihood of living well after treatment and better news to tell the family.
The campaign is particularly aimed at those aged 40 and over, and urges everyone with persistent symptoms, unusual for them, to contact their GP practice without delay to get checked – this could include unexplained bleeding, unusual lumps, unexplained weight loss or something that doesn’t feel normal for them.
Nicky Donnelly, interim lead nurse at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said:
“If you notice something persistent that isn’t normal for you, don’t delay making an appointment with your GP practice.
“In most cases these symptoms will unlikely be due to cancer, but more can be done to treat cancer if it’s found at an earlier stage, so it’s best to get checked.”
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Humza Yousaf added: “More people are surviving cancer than ever before in Scotland, but finding cancer at an earlier stage remains key.
“The‘Be the Early Bird’campaign has been designed to highlight why an earlier diagnosis can lead to better outcomes, in terms of treatment options and quality of life after treatment, to motivate people to take action rather than put off getting possible cancer symptoms checked.
“If you’ve noticed something that is persistent and doesn’t feel normal for you, your GP practice wants to hear from you.
“They are there to help.”
People can find out more about possible cancer symptoms at getcheckedearly.org