Commenting on Public Health Scotland’s publication this week, that shows the link between deprivation and cancer and underlined the importance of early diagnosis, Jackie Baillie MSP for Dumbarton, Vale of Leven and Helensburgh said:

“This weeks statistics have underlined what we already know – that it is the most vulnerable in our society that are in greatest danger from cancer and early diagnosis is vital to improving their chances of survival.

 “With almost 400,000 cancer screenings cancelled by the Scottish Government due to the pandemic, we face a potential tsunami of cancer deaths.

 “We were told that urgent cancer tests and treatment would not be disrupted but many cancer patients in West Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute have been impacted.

 “The Health Secretary has been too slow to get cancer screening and treatment back on track. We must equip our NHS to treat cancer as well as treating those with Covid-19.

 “Early detection is vital and for that reason both screening and dental check-ups, which are vital for detecting oral and maxillofacial cancers, must be restarted without delay.”

~ENDS~ 

NOTES TO EDITOR:

https://beta.isdscotland.org/find-publications-and-data/conditions-and-diseases/cancer/cancer-incidence-in-scotland/