New figures from the Information Services Division (ISB) show that early detection rates for certain cancers across the Borders have fallen, with fewer people being diagnosed at Stage 1 for breast, colorectal and lung cancer.
Back in 2012, the SNP Government pledged that they wanted, by 2015, to increase the proportion of people diagnosed with early stage disease (stage 1) by 25 per cent by the end of 2015 concentrating on breast, colorectal and lung cancers.
Across NHS Borders, the percentage of patients diagnosed at Stage 1 cancer has fallen by 7.3 per cent between 2010-11 and 2016-17.
Other Scottish health boards saw an increase in those detected at Stage 1, with the exception of NHS Borders, Orkney, Highland and Western Isles.
Commenting on the figures, Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
‘We all know how crucial it is that cancer is detected early, and that it greatly increases the chances for successful treatment’
‘It is worrying that no progress has been made on the detection of breast, lung and colorectal cancer at Stage 1 since 2010 in the Borders’
‘Nicola Sturgeon announced the Scottish Government was going to increase the rate of cancers detected early by 25 per cent’
‘It’s yet another example of the SNP of failing the Borders and they should reflect on these promises, because the hopes and spirits of cancer patients and their families can rest upon them’