Hansard

I direct members to my entry in the register of members’ interests; I am a practising NHS general practitioner.

I thank Jackie Baillie for securing today’s important debate ahead of world cancer day on 4 February. I commend her for her efforts over the years to raise awareness of cancer, cancer research and cancer prevention. As she can see, I am wearing my wristband.

Cancer affects physical health. It also has emotional impacts. The first reaction to a cancer diagnosis is often shock and numbness. Patients hear nothing other than the words, “You have cancer.” It can take time for patients to accept the diagnosis, especially if they do not feel particularly sick. However, hearing the word “cancer” is really scary for everyone.

There is the worry about treatment, the side effects, test results, what will happen down the road, and how cancer will affect the family, work, independence, relationships and finances. Macmillan Cancer Support has found that 87 per cent of Scots with cancer are affected financially by their diagnosis—by £1,000 a month, on average.

For those who are diagnosed late, there is often anger: “Why me?” In fact, for everyone who is diagnosed, there is some anger: “Why me?” They may feel angry with family or friends, their doctor, the world or even themselves, perhaps because some cancers do not have symptoms in the early stages or those symptoms might have been explained as another condition. There is also the sadness, the loneliness and the overwhelming loss of control when cancer changes day-to-day life or when family and friends have trouble understanding and coping with a diagnosis.

The emotional rollercoaster starts with courage: the courage to seek help from a GP or to pick up the phone and call someone. There is the wait for test results, a referral or treatment. Every day seems like a week. According to Macmillan, a third of patients who are undergoing treatment worry that any delay could affect their chances of surviving cancer. There is a clear need for everyone who is diagnosed with cancer to have a personalised care and support plan and to be signposted to mental health and wellbeing support.

I recently saw a patient who had been diagnosed with bowel cancer, which is spreading. The cancer was only discovered because he was admitted to hospital with Covid. His symptoms were identified by doctors when they took a full history and could make a diagnosis. He had been suffering those symptoms for two years but was too worried about Covid to come and see me. It is too late to cure him. Sadly, his story is far from unique.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Scotland. Around 34,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Cancer treatments and outcomes have greatly improved in recent years. Half of all patients now survive for 10 years or more, but that is dependent upon people coming forward early and upon our cancer services increasing their capacity.

Scotland has a strong cancer research base, including Cancer Research UK centres in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as Glasgow’s prestigious Beatson Institute for Cancer Research. Over the past five years, Cancer Research UK has spent more than £188 million on research funding in Scotland across seven university research centres, thereby contributing to Scotland’s vibrant and productive life sciences sector.

Despite that, there is a lot more to do. Some cancers are difficult to diagnose, as they have vague or non-specific symptoms. Those include cancers of the pancreas, liver, brain, oesophagus and stomach. More than 9,000 Scots are diagnosed with one of those less survivable cancers every year. Sadly, only 16 per cent of those diagnosed will survive for five years, because of late presentation. We must raise awareness among the public of those less survivable cancers and their symptoms, and encourage people to see their GP if they are worried.

I support Jackie Baillie’s motion. I congratulate all those who are engaged in cancer research and fundraising, and recognise the importance of providing patients and their families with high-quality information, advice and support.

I have one thing to say to anyone who is watching. If you, or someone you know, has an odd symptom—something new, such as weight loss, a lump or bleeding—please come forward and see your doctor. It could just save your life.