Cole-Hamilton warns Yousaf must take action as cancer rates rise

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today urged Humza Yousaf to take action to tackle cancer as new figured showed that there were 35,379 new cancers registered in Scotland in 2020, an increase of 5.5% compared with 2019 and a 30% higher risk of developing cancer in the most deprived areas of Scotland,  

Mr Cole-Hamilton is now calling on the Scottish Government to:

• Set out a timeline for when the 62-day target from receipt of referral to treatment for all cancers will be met.

• Reinvigorate the Detect Cancer Early programme to include new ways to promote the importance of cervical screening and other cancer screening programmes.  

• Increase genetic screening for cancer.

• Keep people healthy with new mobile preventative services and screening.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to patients’ chances of survival.  

“When challenged on this Humza Yousaf tends to blame the pandemic but that’s no excuse when the key cancer referral to treatment target hasn’t been met for over ten years.  

"What’s more, if you live in one of Scotland’s most deprived neighbourhoods, your chances of developing cancer are significantly worse.

"The government needs to commit to a date by which the key national cancer waiting targets will finally be met and invest in measures to both prevent and treat cancer wherever it occurs.”