A new push for early checks is unnerwey aw ower Scotland. The latest stage o the Scottish Government’s Be the Early Bird campaign turns the spotlicht on heid an craig cancer signs. Aroon 1,300 new cases will be fund ilka year. It staunds as Scotland’s saxt maist common cancer, but ainly a third is catcht in the early stages.
Authorities speir fowk tae be on the look oot for ony by-ordinar, lestin signs and tae ring up their GP or dentist richt awa if they fin onything. A group kent as the early birds – fowks wha’s cancer wis fund in time – met wi Health Secretary Neil Gray tae share hoo early checks appened mair treatment paths an haudit them on the road tae a fu life. Their story is a firm caw for ithers wi odd or lang-lestin symptoms tae sikk help richt awa.
Cabinet Secretary for Health an Social Care Neil Gray stressed, “Early detection is sae important tae cancer care. The stories fae wir ‘early birds’ demonstrate the positive impact it can hae on treatment an ootcomes. Sae, A’m urgin aabody tae mak siccar they contact their GP practice aboot ony by-ordinar, persistent symptoms. The suiner we act, the better the chunces for treatment an recovery. Sae, lat’s be vigilent – if something disnae feel richt, dinnae bide aboot, get checked early.”
Dr Gillian Leslie, Deputy Chief Dental Officer for Scotland, telt us, “Heid an craig cancer incidence rates hiv gradually increased ower the past decade, makkin early detection mair important than ivver. Dentists play a vital role in detectin signs o cancer. Routine dental examinations allou us tae identify subtle chynges in the mooth an thrapple, an surroonin tissues that cuid signal early-stage cancer. Early diagnosis leads tae better treatment options, sae we urge fowk tae attend their check-ups. Maist importantly, if ye notice ony sares, lumps, reed or white patches that dinna gang awa efter three wikks, dinna bide til yer neist appyntment – we want tae see ye. It’s crucial no tae dismiss ony potential symptoms. Get checked richt awa.”
GP Dr Douglas Rigg added, “If ye’re fashed aboot unexplained bleedins, a by-ordinar lump, unexplained wecht loss or something that disnae feel normal for ye, we want tae ken. Dinnae be embarrassed or sit at hame fashin yersel, gie yer GP practice a caw. It probably winnae be cancer but if it is, finnin cancer early can mean a muckle wider range o treatment options bein available, an a better chance o livin weel again.”
Ae early bird, Daniel Morrison fae Cambuslang in Lanarkshire, shared a glisk o howp. Diagnosed wi salivary gland cancer, the 30-year-auld noo lives weel wi his young faimly. “It’s thanks tae spottin ma cancer early that I’m noo delichted tae say I’m in recovery an able tae look forrit excitedly tae the future wi ma young faimly,” he said. “I’d noticed fluid unner ma tongue an felt really fatigued but it’d be easy tae try an ignore as naething. I’m sae thankfu hooanivver that I got checked early, treatit an looked efter by a team ae amazin medical experts throu-oot. This is whit I’m passionate aboot the Scottish Government’s Be the Early Bird campaign for – it’s sae important that fowk unnerstaund the difference contactin yer GP practice early can mak.”
The campaign aims tae stress hoo finnin cancer at an early stage can lead tae mair treatment options, a heicher chunce o livin weel efter treatment, an better news for faimlies. A blithesome new figure, early bird Bonnie the Seagull wi a craig lump, staunds as a sign tae haud vigil ower heid an craig symptoms. This campaign will rin athin Mairch via ootdoor notice boards, digital media, an targetit wark in supermercats.
For mair details on Be the Early Bird an tae explore the symptom checker, visit getcheckedearly.org.