That the Parliament recognises that Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Week, which begins on 13 January 2025, raises vital awareness of the six less survivable common cancers, which are cancers of the lungs, liver, brain, oesophagus, pancreas and stomach; understands with deep concern that these cancers have an average five-year survival rate of just 16% and that over 9,000 people in Scotland are diagnosed with one of these conditions each year, accounting for a quarter of all cancer diagnoses; notes that these six conditions are responsible for 40% of all cancer deaths in Scotland, claiming over 7,000 lives annually; believes that positive progress has been made and that Scotland is leading the way by including less survivable cancers as a strategic priority in the 10-year cancer strategy; considers however that further dedicated action and investment are required to improve outcomes for people affected by these cancers; calls for the continued implementation of timed, optimal pathways covering diagnosis, treatment, support and care for all six cancers; highlights what it sees as the importance of improving early diagnosis of less survivable cancers; calls for dedicated research funding to support early and fast diagnosis and treatment innovation, and emphasises the urgent need for significant workforce investment to ensure every patient has access to a clinical nurse specialist with expertise in their cancer type, ensuring timely and effective treatment for all those who need it.
Supported by:
Neil Bibby, Miles Briggs, Ariane Burgess, Stephanie Callaghan, Jackson Carlaw, Foysol Choudhury, Katy Clark, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Pam Gosal, Emma Harper, Monica Lennon, Gillian Mackay, Liam McArthur, Pauline McNeill, Carol Mochan, Edward Mountain, Alex Rowley, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Mercedes Villalba, Annie Wells, Martin Whitfield, Brian Whittle, Beatrice Wishart