Early diagnosis the key to better prostate cancer survival rates, says MSP Mary Scanlon
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
EARLY diagnosis and early treatment is the key to the much-improved survival rates for prostate cancer in Scotland, according to a North MSP.
Mary Scanlon, the Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands, made her comments after taking part in a discussion in Inverness on prostate cancer.
It was attended by men with the condition, family members and clinicians from Raigmore Hospital.
“I learned so much from the discussion relating to prostate cancer,” she said. “Patients all spoke highly of the excellent treatment they received at Raigmore Hospital.
“Issues highlighted were the varying approaches taken by GPs to diagnosis and the lack of co-ordinated follow-up care after treatment.
“I am delighted that a quality performance indicator will be published for prostate cancer later this year. This should help to ensure a more consistent approach to diagnosis and also consistent standards for check-ups and information, as well as a team approach to follow-up care.”
She added: “There is no doubt that early diagnosis and early treatment is the key to the much-improved survival rates for prostate cancer in Scotland.”
Several discussion groups on prostate cancer met across Scotland to assist the charity, Prostate Cancer Scotland, to bring forward new quality standards. The meeting in Inverness was the best attended in Scotland.
Mrs Scanlon has submitted questions to the Scottish Government relating to diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
