Calls to halt the disparity in funding of different cancers

THE stark disparity between funding for different cancers in Scotland has led to calls for a rethink of how money is allocated to treat different forms of the disease.

- BY RICHARD ELIAS

Early prevention... Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce wants more help from the Scottish Government

Research has revealed that some of the deadliest common cancers receive less than one-fifth of funding despite accounting for nearly 40% of deaths.

Statistics show six of the so-called “less survivable cancers” — brain, liver, lung, oesophagus, pancreas or stomach; receive just 18.9% of all Holyrood-funded cancer research.

The finding is based on data obtained via a Freedom of Information request by the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce (LSCT).

It said each of these cancers is receiving about £130 less research funding per death than the average across all cancers.

Some, like oesophageal cancer, receive as little as £40 per death in research funding - compared with an average of £310.

It is now calling on the Scottish Government to remove barriers such as limited access to and lack of awareness of clinical trials, and to incentivise research into less survivable cancers.

Today, the LSCT is hosting an event for MSPs at Holyrood as part of Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Week