Written Question · S6W-41442 · Session 6
What action it is taking to improve earlier and faster diagnosis in children and young people with cancer, given that national initiatives …
The question
To ask the Scottish Government, what action it is taking to improve earlier and faster diagnosis in children and young people with cancer, given that national initiatives such as Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services often exclude under-18s, and what data it plans to publish on (a) waiting times and (b) routes to diagnosis for under-25s.
The answer
The Collaborative and Compassionate Cancer Care: The Cancer Strategy for Children and Young People in Scotland 2021–2026, is a dedicated cancer strategy for children and young people, in Scotland.The strategy sets out our ambitions and actions to provide the best possible treatment and care, as early as possible, to children and young people with cancer. There are several actions that specifically relate to an early, precise diagnosis of cancer. The Managed Clinical Network for Children and Young People with Cancer (MCN CYPC) are responsible for the implementation and evaluation of the Children and Young People’s cancer strategy.We published the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer on 6 August this year, with updates on supporting a diagnosis of cancer in children and young people specifically. This includes considerations for non-specific symptoms of cancer for under-18s, like those considered for Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services.The Scottish Government does not hold data for diagnostic waiting times and routes to diagnosis for children and young people presenting with potential cancer symptoms.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-41442 by reference.