Daughter of Lung Cancer Victim Supports Calls for National Screening in Scotland to Save Lives

Cancer Research UK has projected that a national lung cancer screening programme in Scotland could potentially save 2,300 lives over the next decade. Kelsey Mackay, whose mother succumbed to lung cancer, is advocating for the implementation of this targeted screening in Scotland.

New data from Cancer Research UK suggests that a national screening could significantly reduce lung cancer fatalities in Scotland by enabling earlier diagnosis. Targeted screening of high-risk individuals could lead to 4,000 more patients being diagnosed at an early stage when treatment is most effective.

The charity emphasizes the critical need for a national targeted lung cancer screening programme as part of the Scottish Government’s 10-year cancer plan. Kelsey Mackay, 31, from Armadale, West Lothian, is a vocal supporter of the programme. Her mother, Christine Livingstone, a lifelong smoker, died from lung cancer in 2013 at the age of 52.

Mackay expressed her belief that lung cancer screening could save numerous lives, though it comes too late for her mother. She stressed the importance of early detection for successful treatment outcomes and shared her personal loss, describing her mother as her best friend.

Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer in Scotland, particularly affecting those in the country’s most deprived areas. The UK National Screening Committee has recommended lung cancer screening for high-risk individuals aged 55 to 74 who are current or former smokers.

Cancer Research UK’s CEO, Michelle Mitchell, pointed out that lung cancer has a devastating impact on Scottish families, especially in poorer communities. She advocates for a fully-funded national lung cancer screening programme as a critical step to improve lung cancer survival rates in Scotland.

The screening process would involve an assessment to determine an individual’s lung cancer risk, followed by a low-dose CT scan for those at higher risk. The Scottish Government has acknowledged the UK National Screening Committee’s recommendation and is working on implementing the programme, considering the complexities involved.