We must urgently act together to end our cancer crisis

ANCER is the defining health issue of our time. In Scotland, it is the leading cause of death, touching every family, community and workplace. The scale of the crisis is undeniable — and without urgent action, more lives will be lost.

- Michelle Mitchell

Today, Cancer Research UK launches a bold new manifesto for Scotland with a clear message to politicians ahead of next year’s election — commit to reducing the cancer death rate in Scotland by 15% by 2040 and save around 10,100 lives.

But the impact of cancer is not only measured in lives lost. In 2023, premature cancer deaths resulted in the loss of 30,000 productive years of life which has an estimated cost to the economy of £840million. Behind these numbers are families devastated and communities changed for ever.

The NHS in Scotland is staffed by dedicated professionals who work tirelessly for patients. Yet, despite their commitment, the NHS is under severe pressure and waiting times are the worst on record. Every day waiting for a diagnosis, tests or treatment is a day filled with anxiety, worry and fear for patients and their loved ones. This is unacceptable.

THE roots of this crisis run deep. Years of underfunding, together with the impact of Covid, have left the NHS struggling. The result is missed diagnoses, delayed treatments and lives lost too soon.