Campaign launched as Scots cancer survival rates rise
THE number of Scots sur viving cancer ha s increased by more than 65 per cent in the past 30 years.
New figures show 15,800 people diagnosed this year will survive – enough to fill Glasgow’s Armadillo five times over. Three decades ago the number of survivors was 9,500.
The figures were revealed at the launch of a campaign, which aims to change the way cancer is viewed by the public and turn the “Big C” into the “wee c”.
The Scottish Government has joined forces with 14 cancer charities and a host of celebrities, including Sir Jackie Stewart and Sanjeev Kohli.
Research has shown that the common perception, particularly among older generations, that cancer is always fatal is a key barrier to people going to their doctor to check symptoms.
Figures show that about half of men and women in Scotland now sur vive cancer – or 48 per cent of males and 54 per cent of females. However, experts believe 1,000 deaths a year could be avoided if cancer was detected earlier.
Professor Karen Vousden, director of Cancer Research UK’s Beatson Institute in Glasgow, said: “We are all working very hard to find new treatments for cancer but it would help if more people went to their doctor. There is no reason why anybody should die from skin cancer because it’s visible.”
Professor Vousden said work was currently under way to look at possible screening techniques for pancreatic cancer, which has very few warning signs and very low survival rates.
Alex Watson, f rom Lenzie, was diagnosed with testicular cancer when he was 23. Alex, 43, said: “When I was diagnosed, testicular cancer was something that not a lot of doctors saw at the time.
“My own GP didn’t have a lot of experience. I went to the doctor a few times before it was diagnosed. If you think there is something wrong, then go to your GP.”
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “Reframing the way cancer is viewed goes hand in hand with boosting survival rates.”