Faster diagnosis will give bowel cancer patients the ‘best chance’, Gray says

Health Secretary Neil Gray has said a move to speed up diagnosis for a common cancer will help give patients the “very best chance of recovery”.

His comments came as the Scottish Government confirmed £1.5 million is being invested in what it said is a “redesigned and accelerated diagnostic pathway” for bowel cancer.

Also known as colorectal cancer, it is the fourth most common form of cancer in Scotland and is responsible for 11% of the country’s cancer deaths.

Under the changes, which are being brought in with £1.5 million from the Government’s Detect Cancer Early programme, patients will be able to have multiple tests done at the same time, where this is clinically appropriate.

This should reduce the number of hospital visits and speed up the time it takes to get a diagnosis.

Mr Gray said: “Bowel cancer touches thousands of families in Scotland every year, and we know the difference early diagnosis can make – more treatment options, more time with loved ones, and better outcomes.

“That’s why I am so pleased to see the publication of Scotland’s Colorectal Optimal Cancer Diagnostic Pathway.

“By speeding up diagnosis and improving the way services are delivered, we can give patients and their families greater peace of mind, faster answers, and the very best chance of recovery.”

Nick Rimmer, 55, from Crieff, believes his early diagnosis with bowel cancer helped save his life.

He was diagnosed with stage one bowel cancer in 2019 after receiving a routine NHS screening test just after his 50th birthday.

While initially hesitant about the screening, he now says the test “saved my life and my future”.

He said: “I consider myself lucky because it was detected at a stage where I had absolutely no symptoms and no idea.”

He underwent a “major operation”, but did not require chemotherapy and says he has been “healthy for the last five years”.

He urged people to contact their GPs if they have “any unusual, persistent symptoms”.

Mr Rimmer added: “Even if you don’t have symptoms, when that test lands on your doormat – do it. The more people that do the test and find cancer earlier, the easier their life is going to be.”