Last week, alongside Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce (LSCT) members we met with Neil Gray MSP, the Scottish Minister for Health and Social Care, at Holyrood.
The LSCT represents the six less survivable cancers: brain, liver, lung, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach. Today, on average, the chance of someone surviving for five years after being diagnosed with one of these cancers is only 16%. Earlier this year, the LSCT released data which showed that the UK, lags far behind other countries of comparable wealth and income levels for survival of these cancers. For five year survival of specific cancers, the UK was ranked as low as 32nd out of 34 similar countries (this was for pancreatic cancer). When it came to brain cancer survival, the UK was ranked 24th.
The meeting with the Cabinet Secretary was arranged one year on from the launch of the Cancer Strategy for Scotland and followed the publication of the first cancer action progress report. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the urgent need to prioritise less survivable cancers and review some of the updates that were shared as part of the progress report.
At the meeting, we shared information on our faster, better diagnosis project related to our call for a National Brain Tumour Strategy. We also shared the work of our Scottish Steering Committee, who are currently researching the diagnostic pathways available for people experiencing the symptoms of a brain tumour. This includes the use of GP Direct Access to CT Head Imaging. The Cabinet Secretary noted that he will look to share available information on Direct Access pathways with us following the meeting.
Words from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray:
“I met with the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce earlier today where we had a valuable discussion and outlined shared goals in improving outcomes for individuals diagnosed with a less survivable cancer.
“During the meeting we also talked about what more we can do to help prevent cancer and how to expand the excellent results of our rapid cancer diagnostic centres. Our ten-year cancer strategy encompasses these points by taking a comprehensive approach to improving patient pathways, from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care. An ambition of the strategy is to improve cancer survival, particularly among the currently less-survivable cancers, by 2033.
“The Scottish Government values the work of the individual organisations who make up the Taskforce, and thanks their dedicated supporters for their bravery and tireless efforts to support people who are all impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
“I am committed to continuing to work in partnership with the Taskforce to deliver on the Cancer Strategy and Action Plan.”
The Chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce Scotland, Lorraine Dallas:
“This meeting marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding cancer care in Scotland.
“We know that many people with less survivable cancers will only be diagnosed after an emergency admission to hospital or an urgent GP referral after symptoms have become severe and treatment options are more limited.
“This has to change. The commitment to focus on less survivable cancers in the Cancer Strategy published last year was welcome and we’re now keen to see improved cancer diagnostic and treatment services as well as significant investment in research and vastly improved outcomes for patients with less survivable cancers.”
Continuing our engagement
We thank the Cabinet Secretary for his time and look forward to continuing our engagement and working with the Scottish Government going forwards to ensure outcomes for the community as well as other less survivable cancers are improved.
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