More and more Scots are surviving cancer - because they acted early.
Research has highlighted the fact that fear of a potential cancer diagnosis is stopping people from getting the medical advice they need. But there is more and more evidence that the sooner you do act - the better your chances are of survival if you are diagnosed with ‘the big C’.
A new TV campaign, Survivors, was launched earlier this year which tells the story of Scottish spirit and resolve in a bid to help reduce people’s fear around attending screening when invited.
The campaign reinforced the message that getting checked early plays a big part in the increased number of survivors.
Whether that be posting a completed bowel screening test, attending a mammogram, or having a prostate examination, taking decisive action definitely saves lives.
Laura Wilson has spoken out about what her dad’s survival after a cancer diagnosis has meant to her.
The 34-year-old said: “My dad told me he’d been advised to go for some further investigations after a routine check up showed his PSA levels were high.
“I just thought to myself, what does that mean?
“When I found out dad did have cancer I was devastated. I thought it couldn’t possibly be true.
“He went in for the operation two days before his 60th, but I couldn’t believe how well he handled it all.”
Read more: Cervical cancer survivor is speaking out to save lives
John went on to make a full recovery, but both he and Laura feel his early diagnosis was key to him responding so well to treatment.
Laura added: “I’m so glad his cancer was detected early and he was able to have successful treatment.”
John said: “If my cancer hadn’t been detected when it was, it could have spread and I might not have had such a good outcome.”
People are being encouraged to join the movement by sharing what a loved one’s cancersurvival has meant to them, using #MySurvivor on social media in a bid to tell the other side of the story.
For more information visit getcheckedearly.org.
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