By Lucy Ashton
Jackie Baillie has marked World Cancer Day 2022 by calling for action to stop people in the most deprived communities being more adversely affected by cancer than others.
This year’s World Cancer Day theme is ‘close the care gap’ as research has shown areas of deprivation, including West Dunbartonshire, are more likely to be adversely impacted by cancer.
According to the latest available statistics, cancer diagnosis is higher in West Dunbartonshire than most other parts of Scotland. Between 2017 and 2019, only Glasgow City and Clackmannanshire recorded more cancer registrations than West Dunbartonshire.
Research shows areas of poverty experience a higher prevalence of cancer risk factors. It also shows that people in deprived areas are less aware of cancer symptoms and less likely to participate in screening programmes.
The Dumbarton constituency member made a keynote speech in parliament on Tuesday and handed out Cancer Research UK unity wristbands to each MSP to wear in support of the awareness day.
Jackie Baillie, pictured right, said: “It will come as no surprise to any of us that the most deprived areas of our country have far worst outcomes for cancer care and far worse survival rates than the most affluent areas. This directly affects people in the Dumbarton constituency.
“Research has found that more deprived areas have a higher prevalence of cancer risk factors. Many people here are less aware of symptoms of cancer, are less likely to participate in screening programmes, and, shamefully, they report facing more barriers when trying to seek help and care.
“Scotland’s deprivation gap for cancer is sitting at 32 percent with mortality rates for all cancers 74 percent higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas. These statistics are not new but should shock us all into urgent and robust action – there is simply no justification for a country as wealthy as Scotland to continue to have such deep health inequalities.”
The Dumbarton constituency MSP also used the speech to congratulate Cancer Research UK on its 20th anniversary year and commend Macmillan on efforts locally to help people access support but laid bare their fears over delays in treatment.
Between July and September last year, just 78.2 percent of urgent referrals started cancer treatment within 62 days in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area. This falls well below the Scottish Government’s 95 percent target and was the fourth worst performing health board in Scotland.
Jackie Baillie added: “The work of Cancer Research UK over the last two decades has been truly lifechanging for so many people and they have been at the frontline of the fight against cancer.
“I would be surprised if there is anyone in my constituency who hasn’t been affected by cancer in some way. Either through losing a loved one, supporting a friend or relative through treatment, or being diagnosed themselves.
“The importance of raising awareness of all types of cancer, as well as ensuring that everyone knows the steps that we can take to avoid and identify it cannot be stressed enough.
“Another fabulous organisation is Macmillan who provide valuable services in the West Dunbartonshire and Helensburgh community.
“I know they are hugely concerned that the delays in diagnosis due to pauses in the screening programmes during the pandemic, will soon see a sharp rise both in the number cases and their seriousness. There are reports of people presenting at A&E with stage four cancers that have not been picked up before.
“But this problem predates the pandemic. The 95 percent target for patients with urgent cancer referrals to be seen within 62 days, set by the Scottish Government, has not been met for a decade.
“This is why the Scottish Government needs to prioritise the delivery of the Action Plan for Cancer Services and make sure that the long-awaited health and social care workforce strategy addresses the urgent issue of workforce capacity, including increasing the number of cancer specialist nurses. Cancer Research UK has said that there is genuine concern that if action isn’t taken, for the very first time, we could see survival rates go backwards.
“We need an ambitious catch up plan, we need adequately resourced services, we need enough cancer professionals to meet demand and we need to get screening programmes back on track and include breast cancer screening for women over 70.
“Above all we need a laser like focus on overcoming the barriers caused by disadvantage and to close the gap in cancer care and by doing so to close the gap in outcomes.”