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I refer the member to the Public Health Scotland cancer incidence data set, which covers all cancer types including ovarian cancer, and is updated annually. The data can be accessed at the following address: Cancer incidence in Scotland - to December 2021 - Cancer incidence in Scotland - Publications - Public Health Scotland.

The Scottish Government is currently working in partnership with Macmillan to improve the services offered to cancer patients, including those diagnosed with ovarian cancer, through the Transforming Cancer Care Programme (TCC).

This joint partnership with Macmillan is worth £18 million, and is the first of its kind in the UK. The programme looks to ensure that every cancer patient in Scotland has access to specialist key support workers, who can provide emotional, financial and practical support to those who need it most.

Further to this, the Single Point of Contact (SPoC) approach was introduced in the 2020 National Cancer Plan.

The SPoC ensures cancer patients have dedicated person-centred support that can discuss their specific circumstances. This will help ease any anxieties related to their care and treatment plans, and relay the support available to them and their families.

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-17748 on 18 May 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I refer the member to the Public Health Scotland publication on ovarian cancer survival, which uses the Scottish Ovarian Cancer Quality Improvement Indicators. The most recent data can be accessed at the following address: Ovarian cancer QPIs survival analyses 2 May 2023 - Ovarian cancer Quality Performance Indicators - Publications - Public Health Scotland.

The Scottish Budget for 2023-24 confirms funding of £4 million to deliver the Young Patients Family Fund.

The latest data reported from Health Boards indicates that 8415 claims were submitted under YPFF, this equates to 3740 young inpatients being claimed for.

We plan to consider the potential of an evaluation once the fund is well established. As part of any evaluation we will consider how we get direct feedback from people about their experiences of using it and impact.

A high level of CA-125 in the blood can be a sign of cancer, particularly ovarian cancer, the 5 th most common cancer in the UK.

The Royal College of General Practitioner’s curriculum provides detailed sections on the management of gynaecological cancers and management of patients with cancer. All GPs are expected to have competences in the presentation and management of such conditions.

For doctors training to be GPs in Scotland, the current training programme involves 18 months in various hospital posts and 18 months in a GP Practice. During the 18 months in hospital, they may rotate through Obstetrics and Gynaecology where under supervision, trainee doctors will be able to manage, such conditions. In the 18 months they spend in General Practice, the doctors will see and manage patients at all stages of the disease including early presentation.

All GP practices receive funding for protected time consisting of one session a month, (usually within practice time), to allow GPs to maintain and develop their training and skills.

We continue to invest in our Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme, of which public education and empowerment is a key work-stream. We launched a new campaign – Be the Early Bird – in March 2023 to empower those with possible symptoms to act early. This included sharing stories of those that have been diagnosed and successfully treated with ovarian cancer via press and digital channels, to prompt others to take early action.

We will continue to work with the Scottish Cancer Coalition – which Target Ovarian is a member of - as well as the primary care community across NHS Scotland, to raise awareness of possible symptoms. Work is also underway to redesign DCE’s website (getcheckedearly.org) – this will reflect ovarian cancer content, including additional survivor stories and signposting to Target Ovarian for more information.

As Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees, I have portfolio responsibility for older people and this Scottish Government remains committed to delivering access to opportunities and services people need to ensure they are healthy, happy and secure in older age.

We will continue to work closely with the Older People’s Strategic Action Forum to review progress on the 2019 “A Fairer Scotland for Older People: framework for action” to ensure it remains fit for purpose.