Jackie Baillie has joined Prostate Cancer UK in warning of a North-South divide on late diagnosis of prostate cancer after figures revealed far worse outcomes for patients in Scotland than in England.

In Scotland, more than 1 in 3 (35%) men with prostate cancer are diagnosed with metastatic disease, which is likely to be incurable, compared to just 1 in 8 (12.5%) in London. Over 1,000 men each year are being diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer in Scotland.

Scottish data also shows a dramatic 18% fall in the total number of men who first started treatment for prostate cancer in Scotland in the first year of the pandemic, which could lead to higher instances of stage four diagnosis for years to come.

The Dumbarton constituency MSP who is also Scottish Labour’s Health Spokesperson expressed concern in delays in treatment with more than half (57%) of men who need urgent prostate cancer treatment in Scotland waiting longer than two months for hospital care. Performance against the target of 95% is worse than any other cancer and has deteriorated during the past four years. The data also highlighted differences in health board areas within the country with 93 per cent of patients in Ayrshire and Arran beginning treatment within the 31-day standard, compared to just 20 per cent of patients in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Jackie Baillie backs the charity’s 30-second online risk checker which can help men understand their risk and what they can do about it.

Scottish Labour’s Health Spokesperson, Jackie Baillie said: “These figures are absolutely shocking and a sad indictment of the state of the NHS in Scotland under the SNP.

“It is appalling that men here are diagnosed later giving them poorer outcomes compared to those in England.

“It is also incredibly worrying that there is such a vast variation depending on where you stay in Scotland. My constituents, in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area are unlikely to start treatment within the Scottish Government target time whereas if they lived in Ayrshire they would have a better chance.

“The Scottish Government need to pull out all the stops to make sure that men can access their GP in the first instance and that referrals for treatment are actioned straight away when prostate cancer is suspected.”

Laura Kerby, Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “This postcode lottery for cancer diagnosis simply isn’t fair, and the picture in Scotland is particularly shocking. Every man should get an equal chance of a cure, which is only possible if his cancer is caught early.

“Unfortunately, early prostate cancer usually doesn’t have any symptoms, which is why men need to be aware of their risk and should take our online risk checker to find out more. If you’re at higher risk – which includes all men over 50 – you’re entitled to a free PSA blood test from your GP. Because of their higher risk, we strongly recommend that Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer should speak to their GP from the age of 45.”