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

Authorities speir fowk tae be on da look oot for ony by-ordinar, lestin signs and tae ring up deir GP or dentist richt awa if dey fin onything. A group kent as da 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 da road tae a fu life. Deir story is a frim caa for idders 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. Da stories fae wir ‘early birds’ demonstrate da positive impact it can hae on treatment an ootcomes. Sae, A’m urgin aabody tae mak siccar dey contact deir GP practice aboot ony by-ordinar, persistent symptoms. Da suiner we act, da better da 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 da past decade, makkin early detection mair important dan ivver. Dentists play a vital role in detectin signs o cancer. Routine dental examinations allou us tae identify subtle chynges in da mooth an throat, an surroonin tissues dat cud signal early-stage cancer. Early diagnosis leads tae better treatment options, sae we urge fowk tae attend deir check-ups. Maist importantly, if du notice ony sares, lumps, reed or white patches dat dinna gang awa efter three wikks, dinna bide til dy neist appyntment – we want tae see du. It’s crucial nae tae dismiss ony potential symptoms. Get checked richt awaa.”

GP Dr Douglas Rigg added, “If du’re fashed aboot unexplained bleedins, a by-ordinar lump, unexplained wecht loss or something dat disna feel normal for du, we want tae ken. Dinna be embarrassed or sit at hame fashin dysel, gie dy 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, da 30-year-auld noo lives weel wi his young faimly. “It’s thanks tae spottin ma cancer early dat I’m noo delichted tae say I’m in recovery an able tae look forrit excitedly tae da 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 dat I got checked early, treatit an looked efter by a team ae amazin medical experts throu-oot. Dis is whit I’m passionate aboot da Scottish Government’s Be the Early Bird campaign for – hit’s sae important dat fowk unnerstaund da difference contactin dy GP practice early can mak.”

Da campaign aims tae stress hoo finnin cancer at an early stage can lead tae mair treatment options, a heicher chance 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. Dis campaign will rin athin Mairch via ootdoor notice boards, digital media, an targetit wark in supermercats.

For mair details on Be Da Early Bird an tae explore the symptom checker, visit getcheckedearly.org.