A campaign highlighting the role that early diagnosis can have on improving cancer survival is back on screens this week.

New research shows impact on family is one of people’s greatest fears about having cancer¹, more than the treatment or diagnosis itself, and the Detect Cancer Early ‘Survivors’ campaign aims to tackle this fear which can often delay people seeing their GP practice or attending screening.

The campaign, backed by NHS Forth Valley, taps into Scottish resilience and spirit to encourage people to act if they have a potential symptom or are invited for screening – highlighting that more people are surviving cancer in Scotland than ever before², and getting checked early plays a big part.

NHS Forth Valley Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Dr Jennifer Champion said:

“Early detection simply leads to better outcomes and in many cases total cure. I would encourage anyone who has a concern to go to their GP and to keep up to date with all screening programmes to which they are invited.”

Loved ones of cancer survivors have supported the drive, sharing how cancer has touched them and the lives they now have together due to the disease being found early, to help drive home how fear of the impact on family and friends shouldn’t prevent people getting checked.

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport Jeane Freeman said:

“This important campaign reinforces the link between early cancer detection and survival and encourages people to get any potential signs or symptoms checked early and attend screening when invited.

“We’ve already seen progress in the number of early stage diagnoses of breast, bowel and lung cancers in Scotland through the Detect Cancer Early Programme, and continuing to raise awareness of the importance of early detection is key if we are to further improve Scotland’s cancer survival rates.”

People can get involved in helping change the way the disease is viewed by telling their story using #MySurvivor.

For more information visit getcheckedearly.org.