Hansard

I thank my friend and colleague Marie McNair for securing this evening’s debate on cholangiocarcinoma awareness, the motion for which recognises that October is liver cancer awareness month. Sadly, incidence of the condition seems to be increasing. However, it was not until my colleague submitted the motion that I realised that there is more than one type of liver cancer. I simply did not know that, which is why it is so important that members’ motions are debated in the chamber. As well as educating other MSPs, it serves to raise awareness among the public.

I had written down that, as the final speaker in the open debate, I was probably going to repeat facts, but the truth is that I will almost certainly repeat everything that everyone has already said. However, when it comes to a subject as important as folk’s health and raising awareness, I am not going to apologise for repeating such information, because it is no bad thing to do so.

Cholangiocarcinoma is also known as bile duct cancer, and it seems to be increasing across all age groups, not just among the over-60s. Still, like me, most folk have never heard of it, yet it has the worst survival rates of any cancer. With that in mind, and with this month being liver cancer awareness month, let us change that and get the message out.

Although cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, is considered to be rare worldwide, it is the second most common primary liver cancer. It is not only difficult to diagnose accurately; it is difficult to diagnose early. By the time it is diagnosed, it is often too advanced for surgery, which is currently the only potential cure.

Why is it difficult to diagnose it early? The early symptoms of it are very vague. Nausea and appetite loss are two of the symptoms. Let us be honest. Whose first thought would be to go and get checked if those were their only symptoms? I know that my first thought would be that I had eaten something dodgy or had some sort of bug.

In later stages, the symptoms can include jaundice—the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes—itchy skin, pale stools, dark-coloured urine, unintentional weight loss and abdominal pain. I urge folk to speak to their GP if they have any of those signs or are worried about any of the symptoms. Although it is unlikely that they will have bile duct cancer, it is best to get it checked.

I am aware that the Scottish Government is committed to raising awareness of possible cancer symptoms through its primary care cancer education platform, GatewayC, which provides tools to support early diagnosis efforts and decision making at the point of referral. I am also aware that the Scottish Government has recognised that significant work was needed to develop the necessary genomic testing. I would therefore appreciate it if the minister could give an update on the work that has been undertaken with that, if at all possible.

I thank Marie McNair for the debate this evening. I and others look forward to hearing the minister’s reply.