People in Greater Glasgow and Clyde are being urged to join the national movement to turn the Big C into the wee c.
The wee c is a new initiative which aims to change the way cancer is viewed in Scotland, in a bid to reduce fear around the disease and boost survival rates.
More people in Scotland are surviving cancer than ever before – around 15,800 men and women diagnosed with cancer this year will survive compared to 9,500 that would have survived 30 years ago1.
The Scottish Government in partnership with Cancer Research UK, have joined forces with 14 of Scotland’s leading cancer charities to urge people to join together to turn the Big C into the wee c.
The ‘Big C’ is still a term commonly used by the nation when referring to cancer – reinforcing a fatalistic view of the disease. Research has shown this fear is a key barrier to people presenting with potential signs or symptoms, and attending screening2. This can often result in later stage diagnoses, when the chance of survival is lower.
The wee c is focused on highlighting that cancer isn’t what it used to be. Thanks to earlier detection, research breakthroughs and treatment advances, Scotland is making positive strides towards bringing cancer down to size.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has also added their voice by highlighting how they’re playing a part in turning the Big C into the wee c.
Dr Emilia Crighton, Interim Director of Public Health, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “Being part of Scotland’s collective effort to turn the Big C into the wee c is exciting. Survival rates are at a record high, despite more people being treated for cancer than ever before.
“Our cancer treatments have moved on considerably in the last 30 years. We now have access to the latest treatments, helping more people survive the disease.”
The average ten year survival rate for cancer has doubled over the past 30 years – now two in four people survive, compared to one in four in the 1970s, and today half of men and women in Scotland survive cancer (48 per cent of males, and 54 per cent of females)3.
These figures could increase further if early detection rates improved. Around 1,000 deaths could be avoided each year in Scotland if cancer survival matched the best in Europe4.
Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, said: “I know how daunting it can be to get a cancer diagnosis and the impact this has on an individual and their families’ lives. However, cancer isn’t what it used to be with more people than ever before now surviving a diagnosis. This is why it is time for the other, more positive side of the story to be told. Essentially turning the Big C into the wee c.
“The reality is that thanks to innovation and investment, there are around 176,000 people in Scotland who have been diagnosed with cancer over the last 20 years and who are still alive – over double the population of Inverness.
“Reframing the way cancer is viewed goes hand-in-hand with boosting survival rates and everyone can play a part. If we can raise awareness of what is being done to tackle cancer, we’ll hopefully, in time, be able to address the fear people have in seeing their GP or attending their screening appointment. The earlier you come forward to get checked or screened, the better, it could save your life.
“It’s hugely encouraging to see so many charities uniting to kick-start the wee c – this demonstrates the collective will behind reducing this fatalistic view of cancer and boosting survival rates in Scotland.”
Gregor McNie, Senior Public Affairs Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “Being told you have cancer are words half of us will hear at some point in our lives. But, there is less to fear from a cancer diagnosis than ever before with survival being at an all-time high and one in two people surviving their cancer for ten years or more.
“There’s still much more to be done to turn the Big C into the wee c which is why this is such an important move. Research is at the heart of that progress and our scientists are working hard in that quest to beat cancer sooner and help even more people survive.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Cancer survival statistics are taken from the following sources:
[1] Cancer Survival in Scotland (1987-2011) (https://isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Cancer/Publications/2015-03-03/2015-03-03-CancerSurvival-Report.pdf), Cancer Survival in Scotland (1980-2004).
2 TNS attitudinal tracking. Comparing two data sets (pre – post Detect Cancer Early launch). 2011 data: 935 adults aged 40+ in the C1C2DE social grades interviewed between 29 November and 19 December 2011. 2015 data: 500 adults aged 40+ in the C1C2DE social grades interviewed from 27th – 23rd January 2015.
Results included responses to the following statements:
Just the thought of cancer puts me off thinking about checking for the signs and symptoms of it – total disagreement fell significantly from 76% to 65%,
I might put off going to see my doctor or GP about possible signs of cancer – for fear of what they might tell me – a significant decline in total disagreement for this measure, from 78% to 67%
I would go to the doctor or GP straightaway if I suspected any signs or symptoms of cancer – total agreement for this statement fell significantly from 91% to 85%
3 All malignant neoplasms excluding Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (ICD-10 C00-C96 exc. C44). Based on the survival (%) of people diagnosed with cancer in Scotland between 1987 – 1991 and the survival (%) of people diagnosed with cancer in Scotland between 2007 – 2011.
4Eurocare study (based on the fact that 10,000 would survive in Britain as a whole)
The Scottish cancer charities backing the wee c are: Cancer Research UK, Teenage Cancer Trust, Prostate Cancer UK, Cancer Support Scotland, OCHRE – the oesophageal cancer charity, Breast Cancer Care, Breast Cancer Now, Scottish Cancer Prevention Network, Kidney Cancer Scotland, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, British Lung Foundation, Bowel Cancer UK, MASScot and Challenge Breast Cancer Scotland.