NHS Forth Valley’s contribution to the national Detect Cancer Early programme has been recognised at an event to mark the programme’s three year anniversary.

The ground-breaking £30 million Detect Cancer Early programme has contributed to 24.3 per cent of all breast bowel and lung cancers in 2012 and 2013 being diagnosed at the earliest stages, thanks to the support of cancer clinicians and charities across the country.

High profile marketing campaigns – featuring Elaine C Smith and Sir Alex Ferguson – have also helped raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms and reassured Scots that cancer can be beaten, and often cured, if detected early.

Dr Graham Foster, director of Public Health and Strategic Planning at NHS Forth Valley, said: “We’re committed to helping improve cancer survival rates for people in the Forth Valley area and are pleased to have contributed to the achievements of the Detect Cancer Early programme as it reaches this important milestone.

“Over the last three years, Detect Cancer Early has helped develop innovative projects, increase diagnostic capacity and support clinical posts. Locally, we have developed a bowel screening training toolkit aimed at increasing awareness of the test, how to take it and potential signs of bowel cancer. Twenty-one volunteers were recruited and trained to deliver the session with over 500 people already receiving the session to date.

“It’s essential we continue to raise awareness of the importance of early detection in increasing the number of Scots who survive cancer. The message is clear – if you or someone close to you has concerns - don’t get scared, get checked.” Further achievements from the last three years of DCE include: Bowel: * 80.6 per cent increase in the average number of replacement bowel screening kits requested each month since launch * On average, 4300 more kits are returned each month compared to pre-campaign activity Breast: * 50 per cent more women visited their GP with concerns about breast cancer following the ‘lumps aren’t the only sign’ breast symptoms campaign in September 2012 * Spontaneous awareness of breast cancer symptoms included in the campaign, other than lumps, doubled during the campaign period Lung: * 50 per cent increase in the proportion of 55+ year olds from areas of deprivation who disagreed strongly that they would ‘feel silly’ going to the doctor with any changes they thought could be lung cancer * Almost a sixth more men aged over 40 disagree that you can’t survive lung cancer To mark the anniversary, health secretary Shona Robison announced a new, simplified bowel screening test that will be introduced over the next two years to help boost uptake in the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme from its current level of 56.3 per cent in Forth Valley – and save even more lives.

A further £9 million has been committed to the programme for 2015/16.

Shona said: “Over the last three years, DCE has adopted bold approaches to make people aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer, invested in innovative projects and delivered advancements in screening. It will be a while before we can see the full impact of the programme, but we’re starting to see positive results emerge.

“We’ve also seen an important shift change in the attitudes Scots have towards the disease, with more people recognising the benefits of early detection and value of screening. Continuing to drive this awareness of the benefits of early detection is key to getting people to act sooner rather than later and increasing survival rates.

“As we look towards the future of DCE, I want to express my gratitude to those who have supported the programme so far. Each individual effort has contributed to us making a difference, improving outcomes for people with cancer, and improving the health of the nation.”