Cancer ‘ticking timebomb’

Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron has urged the Scottish Government to prioritise testing for cancer.

Mr Cameron has said it is ‘deeply concerning' that increasing numbers of people are waiting for cancer diagnostic tests in the NHS Highland region.

‘New statistics from Public Health Scotland show that between September and December last year, which are the latest available figures, the number of people waiting for a test here rose from 3,624 to 4,900, a rise of 35 per cent,' he said. ‘Frankly, this is a ticking timebomb and needs to be addressed urgently.

‘As the Covid pandemic recedes, which even the Scottish Government is acknowledging by relaxing its measures, we need to see ministers prioritise cancer testing which seems to have been left by the wayside.

‘It's incredibly stressful for people who are worried about cancer to be told that they have to wait before they are tested and diagnosed. The Scottish Government badly needs to refocus and get on the front foot with this issue.'