THERE is a stark difference in the uptake of bowel cancer screening between the most and least deprived areas in Dumfries and Galloway.
For the two-year period from May 1 2019 to April 30 2021 in D&G the figure was 56 per cent for the most deprived part of the region, compared to 75.6 per cent in the least deprived.
Cancer is Scotland’s biggest killer and bowel cancer is the third most common, with around 4000 Scots being diagnosed each year with the disease.
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has warned that the inequalities in screening programmes are putting the most deprived Scots at risk of late diagnosis.
He said: “No one’s health should be determined by their socioeconomic status.
“Our NHS was founded to ensure that everyone has access to healthcare.
“Cancer services have been hit badly during the pandemic but we need to ensure the resources are put in place by the Government so we never again have to choose between treating a virus and treating cancer.”
