Scottish Government Health Campaign: The early bird can have more treatment options and live well again

New Detect Cancer Earlier campaign focuses on head and neck cancers
People across Scotland encouraged to get potential symptoms checked earlier.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray, met with a group of ‘early birds’ to hear their vital stories of how early cancer detection provided more treatment options, helped them live well and allowed them to continue doing the things they love. The group are urging people with unusual, persistent symptoms to do the same and act early.

The latest phase of the Scottish Government’s ‘Be the Early Bird’ campaign has a new focus on head and neck cancer symptoms. Around 1,300 new cases are diagnosed each year - Scotland’s sixth most common cancer - yet only one-third are detected early. The campaign encourages people to recognise possible cancer symptoms and not delay contacting their GP practice or dentist.
For more information on ‘Be the Early Bird’ and to use the symptom checker, please visit getcheckedearly.org.