Detect cancer earlier

Detect rosetteIt is vital that the next Government makes earlier detection of cancer a priority for the NHS. When cancer is detected and diagnosed at an early stage, treatment is almost always simpler and more likely to be effective. In Scotland, cancer survival rates remain poorer than in other comparable European countries. A lack of knowledge of the signs and symptoms of cancer among both the public and medical professionals means that patients can wait too long to see a specialist, which can delay their diagnosis.

We want the next Government to:

  • Direct Health Boards to deliver evidence-based, locally targeted programmes to raise public awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and the importance of acting on them
  • Ensure that GPs and other health professionals are aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer, and to introduce training and education programmes for health professionals in this area where appropriate
  • Ensure access to existing and new ways of diagnosing cancer as soon as possible
  • Further research and analyse the reasons for late diagnosis and take action on the findings
  • Increase the coverage and uptake of cancer screening programmes among hard to reach groups
  • Incorporate the flexi-scope screening test into the existing national bowel cancer screening programme