Bathgate and Linlithgow MP sounds horn to start Race for Life event at South Queensferry
Kirsteen Sullivan MP was chosen to sound the horn at the start line to send hundreds off on the 3k, 5k and 10k courses in the picturesque grounds of Hopetoun House.
People of all ages united against cancer by taking part in Scotland's first 2025 Race for Life events.
Kirsteen Sullivan, MP for Bathgate and Linlithgow, was chosen to sound the horn at the start line to send hundreds off on the 3k, 5k and 10k courses in the picturesque grounds of Hopetoun House, South Queensferry.
More than £108,000 was raised for Cancer Research UK- vital funds which will enable scientists to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer- to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. And 30 miles away, in the University of Stirling grounds near Gannochy Sports Centre £95,000 was raised on Sunday at Race for Life Stirling.
Kirsteen said: 'It's a privilege to support Race for Life in honour of everyone going through cancer right now.
'Almost every family, including my own, has been affected by cancer. The outlook for people with cancer has changed dramatically over the years, thanks to the efforts of Cancer Research UK and wonderful fundraisers making sure the best research is available to help get the best outcomes.
'Thankfully, there are many more effective treatments out there today, making it possible for people to live well with cancer for many years. But it's important we continue to make progress and to ensure the research is there to support that.'
The Rock Choir from Livingston, Linlithgow and Edinburgh also performed hits including Green Green Grass by George Ezra and Club Tropicana by Wham. Brothers eight-year-old Quinn Duffy and Leo Duffy, 10, who are both members of Linlithgow Athletics Club were first home in the 3k completing the course in 12 mins 40 seconds.
And 13-year-old Orla Oakley, of Livingston Athletics Club was first home in the 5k in 23 minutes 22 seconds, raising £230 for Cancer Research UK helped by her twin sister Isla Oakley, her brother Ruaridh Oakley, 10, and her mum Catherine Oakley, 45. The family took part in honour of an uncle who currently has cancer.
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK's spokesperson in Scotland, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in Race for Life.
'No matter how cancer affects us, life is worth racing for.
'Sadly nearly one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it. We're proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact.
'Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years.
'It was a fantastic day at Race for Life, full of emotion, courage, tears, laughter and hope as people celebrated the lives of those dear to them who have survived cancer and remembered loved ones lost to the disease.
'Now we're asking everyone who took part to return the money they're raised as soon as possible. Every donation, every pound raised will make a real difference. '
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
6 hours ago
- The Independent
Brits more likely to develop cancer but less likely to die: report
Cancer death rates in the UK have fallen by 22 per cent since the early 1970s, but cancer diagnoses have increased by 47 per cent in Great Britain during the same period, according to Cancer Research UK. The decline in cancer deaths is attributed to advancements in diagnosis and treatment, as well as initiatives to reduce smoking. Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK 's chief executive, described the findings as a time of 'optimism and realism,' highlighting that it is also 'a golden age for cancer research'. Smoking is identified as the leading preventable cause of cancer, with obesity linked to 13 different types of the disease. MPs and members of the House of Lords are urging the Government to prioritise faster diagnosis of less survivable cancers, which account for approximately 42 per cent of cancer deaths.
The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
Cancer research in ‘golden age' as death rates drop – but cases are on the rise
A new analysis has revealed that cancer death rates in the UK have fallen by more than a fifth since the early 1970s, however diagnoses are also on the rise. A report by Cancer Research UK indicates that although individuals are more likely to develop cancer compared to previous decades, they are less likely to die from it. The data shows that the cancer death rate has decreased by approximately 22 per cent since the early 1970s, falling from 328 per 100,000 people in 1973 to around 252 per 100,000 in 2023. This decline is attributed to advancements in diagnosis and treatment, as well as initiatives to reduce smoking. However, the rate of cancer diagnoses has increased by almost half (47 per cent) across Great Britain during the same period, rising from approximately 413 cases per 100,000 people to around 607 cases per 100,000 people. The study noted that "survival for all cancers combined in England and Wales has doubled since the early 1970s, but progress has slowed over the last 10 years and remains lower than other comparable countries," also stating that "survival increased three to five times faster in previous decades, compared with the improvement since 2010." Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said the findings show 'it is a time of both optimism and realism,' adding that it is also 'a golden age for cancer research.' The group's report cautions that, despite improvements in overall survival rates, the number of people being diagnosed with cancer has significantly increased compared to 50 years ago. Researchers identified smoking as the leading preventable cause of cancer, with obesity linked to 13 different types of the disease. Other risks include not using sunscreen or failing to cover up in the sun, sunbeds, alcohol, lack of exercise and diets high in processed meat. The report pointed out that around half of all new cancer diagnoses are in people aged 70 and over, but incidence rates are currently rising fastest in younger people. It said: 'In the UK, cancer incidence rates have increased by 23 per cent in people aged 20 to 49 since the early 1990s. 'However, population growth is concentrated in older age groups, so in terms of patient numbers, the biggest increase in cancer cases has been in older people.' The study also found that, on average, just over half of cancers are diagnosed at an early stage in England (54 per cent), and this proportion has not changed for almost a decade. Ms Mitchell said: 'It's fantastic to see that thanks to research, cancer death rates have drastically reduced over the last 50 years, and survival has doubled. 'However, there's more that can be done. This report highlights that over 460 people die from cancer every single day in the UK, and too many cases are diagnosed at a late stage. 'If we want to change that, we need bold action from the UK Government. 'The upcoming National Cancer Plan for England must improve cancer survival, and transform cancer services. 'If this plan is done right, it could save countless lives across England and ensure people affected by cancer live longer, better lives.' Cancer Research UK is calling for commitments such as the national rollout of a targeted lung cancer screening programme, quicker access to diagnostic tests for all patients, better access to GPs for speedy diagnosis and action to improve cancer waiting times. Its new study is the first ever to include 50 years of cancer death and incidence data for the UK. Elsewhere, MPs and members of the House of Lords have urged the Government to prioritise faster diagnosis of less survivable cancers, which are those that develop in the brain, pancreas, liver, lung, oesophagus and stomach. A new report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Less Survivable Cancers claims these cancers claim 67,000 lives a year, around 42 per cent of cancer deaths. Doubling diagnoses rates in these areas could save an additional 7,500 lives a year, it said. Paulette Hamilton, chairwoman of the APPG on Less Survivable Cancers, said this is a 'crucial moment for transforming patient outcomes and accelerating survival rates for the less survivable cancers'. 'We're on the brink of research breakthroughs and in the midst of developing potentially game-changing Government health reforms,' she added. 'In this backdrop, achieving faster diagnosis for these devastating cancers is finally within reach.' Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: 'The NHS is seeing and treating record numbers of people for cancer, with more people diagnosed at an earlier stage than ever before, and survival rates in England at an all-time high. 'We have developed world-leading programmes, including lung cancer screening in convenient locations such as car parks and using AI to spot skin cancer, making it easier than ever before to get checked. 'The latest data shows that more than three quarters of people received the all-clear or a definitive cancer diagnosis within four weeks of an NHS urgent cancer referral.'
ITV News
17 hours ago
- ITV News
Cancer death rates down more than 20% in last 50 years but cases rising
Cancer death rates have fallen by more than a fifth in the last 50 years but cases are rising, according to a new analysis. A report from Cancer Research UK found people are now more likely to get cancer than decades ago, but are less likely to die from the disease. Figures show that the rate of people dying from cancer in the UK has fallen by around 22% since the early 1970s, but the rate of people being diagnosed with the disease has risen by almost half. In 1973, some 328 per 100,000 people died from cancer, dropping to around 252 per 100,000 in 2023, driven by improvements in areas such as diagnosis and better treatment, as well as action to cut smoking. The study said: 'Survival for all cancers combined in England and Wales has doubled since the early 1970s, but progress has slowed over the last 10 years and remains lower than other comparable countries. 'Survival increased three to five times faster in previous decades, compared with the improvement since 2010.' Cancer Research UK warned that, despite improvement in overall survival, many more people are being diagnosed with cancer compared with 50 years ago. Incidence rates have risen sharply by almost half (47%) across Great Britain over this period, from around 413 cases per 100,000 people to around 607 cases per 100,000 people. The report listed the preventable causes of cancer, saying smoking remains the biggest cause of cancer, while obesity is linked to 13 different types of the disease. Other risks include not using sunscreen or failing to cover up in the sun, sunbeds, alcohol, lack of exercise and diets high in processed meat. The report pointed out that around half of all new cancer diagnoses are in people aged 70 and over, but incidence rates are currently rising fastest in younger people. It said: 'In the UK, cancer incidence rates have increased by 23% in people aged 20 to 49 since the early 1990s. 'However, population growth is concentrated in older age groups, so in terms of patient numbers, the biggest increase in cancer cases has been in older people.' The study also found that, on average, just over half of cancers are diagnosed at an early stage in England (54%), and this proportion has not changed for almost a decade. Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said: 'It's fantastic to see that thanks to research, cancer death rates have drastically reduced over the last 50 years, and survival has doubled. 'However, there's more that can be done. This report highlights that over 460 people die from cancer every single day in the UK, and too many cases are diagnosed at a late stage. 'If we want to change that, we need bold action from the UK Government. 'The upcoming National Cancer Plan for England must improve cancer survival, and transform cancer services. 'If this plan is done right, it could save countless lives across England and ensure people affected by cancer live longer, better lives.' Cancer Research UK is calling for commitments such as the national rollout of a targeted lung cancer screening programme, quicker access to diagnostic tests for all patients, better access to GPs for speedy diagnosis and action to improve cancer waiting times. Its new study is the first ever to include 50 years of cancer death and incidence data for the UK. Elsewhere, MPs and members of the House of Lords have urged the Government to prioritise faster diagnosis of less survivable cancers, which are those that develop in the brain, pancreas, liver, lung, oesophagus and stomach. A new report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Less Survivable Cancers claims these cancers claim 67,000 lives a year, around 42% of cancer deaths. Doubling diagnoses rates in these areas could save an additional 7,500 lives a year, it said. Paulette Hamilton, chairwoman of the APPG on Less Survivable Cancers, said this is a 'crucial moment for transforming patient outcomes and accelerating survival rates for the less survivable cancers'. 'We're on the brink of research breakthroughs and in the midst of developing potentially game-changing Government health reforms,' she added. 'In this backdrop, achieving faster diagnosis for these devastating cancers is finally within reach.' Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: 'The NHS is seeing and treating record numbers of people for cancer, with more people diagnosed at an earlier stage than ever before, and survival rates in England at an all-time high. 'We have developed world-leading programmes, including lung cancer screening in convenient locations such as car parks and using AI to spot skin cancer, making it easier than ever before to get checked. 'The latest data shows that more than three quarters of people received the all-clear or a definitive cancer diagnosis within four weeks of an NHS urgent cancer referral.'
