A new push for early checks is unnerwey aa ower Scotland. E latest stage o the Scottish Government’s Be the Early Bird campaign turns e 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 e early stages.

Authorities speir fowk tae be on e 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 e early birds – fowks fa’s cancer wis fund in time – met wi Health Secretary Neil Gray tae share foo early checks appened mair treatment paths an haudit them on e road tae a fu life. Their story is a firm caa 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. E 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. E seener we act, e better e chunces for treatment an recovery. Sae, lat’s be vigilent – if something disna feel richt, dinna 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 e 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 e mooth an thrapple, an surroonin tissues aat cud 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 fite patches aat dinna ging awa efter three wikks, dinna bide til yer neist appyntment – we want tae see ye. It’s crucial nae 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 aat disna feel normal for ye, we want tae ken. Dinna be embarrassed or sit at hame fashin yersel, gie yer GP practice a caa. It probably winna 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, e 30-year-auld noo lives weel wi his young faimly. “It’s thanks tae spottin ma cancer erly aat 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 fooanivver aat I got checked early, treatit an looked efter by a team ae amazin medical experts throu-oot. Iss is fit wey I’m passionate aboot e Scottish Government’s Be the Early Bird campaign – it’s sae important aat fowk unnerstaund e difference contactin yer GP practice early can mak.”

E campaign aims tae stress foo 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. Iss 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.