Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw co-hosted a parliamentary reception to mark Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Day for 2023 and he has said it’s vital more work takes places to increase symptom awareness.
The event at the Scottish Parliament took place in support of the Less Survivable Cancer Taskforce’s (LSCT) efforts to highlight the vital importance of increasing awareness of symptoms to improve survival rates and the quality of life for people living with these types of cancers.
The LSCT represents the six less survivable cancers of the lungs, liver, brain, oesophagus, pancreas and stomach.
Every year in Scotland, approximately 9,000 people are diagnosed with one of these cancers. This total is representative of one-quarter of all cancer diagnoses.
The average five-year survival rate is 16 percent.
A survey exercise that was carried out across the UK by the LSCT discovered the troubling finding that public awareness of the deadliest cancers is very low throughout the country.
The research found that only 2 percent of respondents in Scotland were able to correctly identify all symptoms of liver cancer and the figure is 3 percent for oesophageal.
Knowledge of symptom awareness for cancers of the stomach stood at 5 percent, pancreatic - 7 percent, lung - 13 percent and brain tumour - 20 percent.
The Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce is calling on everyone to be aware of the symptoms of the six cancers and to seek access to medical support as soon as possible if they experience any of the signs.
Some of the key symptoms for the Less Survivable Cancers include persistent indigestion, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, a persistent cough, unexplained tiredness, headaches or nausea.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw said:
“The results of the Less Survivable Cancer Trust’s investigation on symptom awareness of the deadliest cancers is a cause of major concern.
“Thousands of people in Scotland are diagnosed with one of the cancers each year meaning it is vital that members of the public are aware of the symptoms and can seek access to medical care.
“I was pleased to co-host the recent reception at Holyrood and it’s critical that symptom awareness is improved.”
Lorraine Dallas, Chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce Scotland group, said:
“It is deeply concerning that most of the general public are unaware of common symptoms of less survivable cancers.
“It’s one of the many challenges that we’re facing in the fight against these deadly diseases.
“The Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce is urging everyone to be aware of the symptoms of these six cancers and to seek medical help at the earliest opportunity if they recognise any of the signs.”