The ‘Survivors’ tour will encourage people in the region to act if they have a potential sign or symptom- and to take up all screening invitations, just like our Don’t Fear The Smear campaign.
It comes as new research shows that although there is almost universal agreement that spotting cancer early improves your chances of survival, over a quarter of Scots (28 per cent) said just the thought of cancer puts them off checking for signs and symptoms.
Similarly, over a quarter (28 per cent) said that they might put off seeing their GP about a potential sign of cancer for fear of what they might be told.
The Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early campaign has been designed to help tackle the fear that people have of the disease, which can often delay them visiting their GP practice or attending screening, by reinforcing the link between early detection and cancer survival.
A host of cancer survivors from across Scotland have added their voices to the drive, highlighting how their treatment was successful thanks to the disease being found early, in a bid to encourage other people to act.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “We’ve already seen progress in the number of early stage diagnoses of breast, bowel and lung cancers in Scotland through the Detect Cancer Early Programme, and continuing to raise awareness of the importance of early detection is key if we are to further improve Scotland’s cancer survival rates.
“Talking about cancer is never easy, and I’m grateful to those who have shared their survival stories as part of this campaign to help change the way cancer is viewed in Scotland.”
For more information call into the tour at the Loreburne Centre or visit getcheckedearly.org.
