Scottish Lib Dems make manifesto pledge to roll out national lung cancer screening programme

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has pledged to roll out a national lung cancer screening programme, as part of a wider package of support to cut waiting times for cancer patients and save lives. 

In 2022, the UK National Screening Committee recommended that the whole of the UK introduce lung cancer screening to help prevent the disease or catch it early. 

Four years on, however, Scotland has not moved on beyond a pilot programme. 

The SNP have said it would take 7 to 10 years for them to implement the scheme fully. 

New figures show that survival rates for certain types of cancer have fallen. This includes the survival rates for leukemias, head and neck cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Scottish Liberal Democrats are pledging to: 

• Roll out a national lung cancer screening programme capable of saving hundreds of lives every year.
• Welcome US scientists fleeing the Trump administration’s anti-science agenda, enabling them to continue their cancer research. 
• Replace ageing equipment including radiotherapy machines and increase their number.
• Prioritise the science to increase genetic screening for cancer.
• Ensure all cancer patients who require reconstructive surgery can receive this on the NHS, following treatment or pre-emption. 

Alex Cole-Hamilton said: 

“In Scotland, more people die of lung cancer than any other disease, with survival rates down for other forms of cancer too. 

“We should be moving heaven and earth to deliver on prevention and early diagnosis.

“It’s why Scottish Liberal Democrats are prioritising a full package of support for cancer patients, especially the rollout of a new national lung cancer screening programme. 

“We are also committed to welcoming the talented and highly-skilled cancer scientists leaving the US- these are people who could help us build the world-class environment needed to defeat this disease.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats will deliver for cancer patients, and a vote for us on your peach, regional ballot paper is a vote to make that happen.”