Latest news with #PublicHealthScotland
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Record
How GPs can help ensure at-home cervical cancer tests are actually used
DIY smear tests are set to be sent to women from January in a bid to increase the number of people getting cervical screenings. Cancer is a cruel disease that does not discriminate and affects not only the patient but also their loved ones. Around six women in Scotland are diagnosed with cervical cancer every week, according to Public Health Scotland. Cervical screening is the best protection against cervical cancer and at-home kits will be offered to women who have rarely or have never attended theirs from January. There are fears that these DIY cervical cancer tests won't be used as much as hoped. But a study has suggested that the uptake is likely to be better if the kits are offered by a GP during a routine appointment. The upcoming tests, which can be performed at home, look for the human papillomavirus (HPV). This is the virus which is linked to the majority of cases of cervical cancer. So how can GPs help ensure at-home cervical cancer tests are actually used? A new study from Queen Mary University of London and King's College London examined the best ways women can be approached about performing the tests themselves at home by looking at 13 GP surgeries in west London. They found that under-screened women were more likely to take up the offer of a self-sample test if they were approached when they were visiting a GP for another reason. Fewer tests were returned when under-screened women were sent a test in the post, or were sent a letter inviting them to get a self-sampling kit. "The uptake of self-sampling was by far the highest among women who were opportunistically offered kits in primary care," the researchers wrote in the journal eClinicalMedicine. But the researchers said that more work was needed to ensure women who took up the offer returned their sample. They suggested that text or phone reminders "could be valuable". Of 449 women opportunistically offered a self-sample kit, 74 per cent accepted the offer and 52 per cent returned a sample within six months. Meanwhile, 198 of the 1,616 women sent a kit in the post (12%) and 76 of the 1,587 women sent a letter inviting them to order a kit (5%) returned a self-sample within six months. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Professor Peter Sasieni from Queen Mary University of London, said offering a self-sample kit in person "was the most effective method of encouraging women to complete their cervical cancer screening tests." However, a "combination of approaches may be best for enabling more women to participate in cervical screening". The NHS offers cervical screening tests - also known as smear tests - to all women aged 25-64 every three years. But many people do not take up the offer, with a number citing a lack of time, discomfort or embarrassment. Data published by the NHS last November showed five million women are not up to date with routine check-ups.
STV News
12 hours ago
- Health
- STV News
Suspected drug deaths rise by 15% amid emergence of new illegal substances
Suspected drug deaths in Scotland have risen by 15% over the last quarter amid the emergence of new illegal substances, according to the latest quarterly RADAR report. The figures, published by Public Health Scotland, show an increased level of drug-related harm across the country compared to the previous quarter. Naloxone administration incidents rose by 45% and emergency department attendances related to drug use increased by 19%. During the period between March and May, suspected drug deaths were 15% higher than the first quarter and 7% more than the same period in 2024. The PHS believes the findings highlight the 'persistently high levels of drug-related harm in Scotland and the serious impact of a rapidly evolving, toxic and unpredictable drug supply'. Nitazene-type opioids, which were first detected in Scotland in 2022, were present in 6% of all deaths in the first quarter of 2025. Dr Tara Shivaji, consultant in Public Health Medicine at PHS said: 'Our most recent data shows that the unregulated drugs market in Scotland is continuing to have a devastating effect on people who use drugs and their communities. The recent trends in increasing drug-related harms are deeply concerning, and it's vital that the response continues to be prioritised in order to protect lives. 'There are complex reasons for the increase in harms we're seeing. Scotland has an evolving drug supply, which is often contaminated with toxic substances. Most of the harm also involves the use of more than one substance. We urge caution to all people who use drugs – there's no way of telling which substances may be contaminated or what the combined effects will be. Having someone who can help in an emergency is an important harm reduction measure, but there's no safe way to take these substances. 'PHS, through RADAR, has worked with a range of partners since March to identify the increase in drug harms, and to help coordinate the system-wide response. It's imperative that our collective efforts continue and our thanks go to the various organisations and people in frontline and supporting roles who provide us with critical information.' Director of public health for NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Valerie White, believes the country's relationship with drugs can change if 'deep-rooted' issues are tackled. Speaking on behalf of the Scottish Directors of Public Health, she said: 'The latest RADAR report highlights the continued need for a system-wide approach to preventing drug harms – one that ensures people can access the harm reduction, treatment, care, and recovery support they need, when they need it. 'By tackling the deep-rooted social and health inequalities that drive drug-related harm, we believe that Scotland's relationship with drugs can change. 'To address these inequalities, a coordinated, multiagency response from more than drug services is required. Sectors such as housing, education, and welfare all play hugely important roles in tackling drug harms as part of a public health approach.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
'Deeply alarming' cervical screening uptake in Scotland
In June it was reported that an 'error' led to some women being wrongly removed from the Cervical Screening Programme. There were a small number (fewer than five) of cases where individuals with cervical cancer had been wrongly excluded from the programme and a wider review identified errors which meant some women who have had a partial hysterectomy had potentially been wrongly excluded. Smear tests are offered to women aged between 25 and 64 years and Scotland's cervical screening programme has to meet both coverage and uptake thresholds of 80%. However, the latest report published by Public Health Scotland today revealed that both have not met this target. It also highlights that those in younger age groups and those in the most deprived areas are least likely to take up their cervical screening invitation. A total of 4 in 10 cervical cancers are detected through screening among women who are eligible for it. READ MORE: Women wait several months for key cervical cancer checks NHS health board admits 'no competence' in later abortion care Woman in 'debilitating' pain as gynaecology waits in Scotland rise In 2023/24, cervical screening uptake was 51.9%, an increase of 1.4% from 50.5% the previous year. Uptake was lowest among those aged 25-29 years, at 38.2%, but increased with age to a peak of 62.7% at age 45-49 years. Scottish Conservative shadow minister for women's health Annie Wells said: 'Cervical screening is crucially important, so these deeply alarming figures are yet another indicator of the SNP's mismanagement of our health service. 'Whether the dangerously low uptake among women is down to poor public health messaging or the well-documented blunders that saw women wrongly removed from the screening programme, it must be reversed. 'Given the SNP's appalling record on cancer treatment times, it's imperative that women with cervical cancer are diagnosed as early as possible – and an effective and comprehensive screening programme is essential to that.' Scottish Labour has said the roll out of DIY cervical cancer tests could be a "game changer" in boosting screenings and tackling inequalities. In England and Wales from January next year, at-home kits will be offered to women who have rarely or have never attended their cervical screening. The Scottish government is still finalising its plans but it is hoped the home tests will initially be offered in deprived areas, where screening rates are lower. Scottish Labour's Women's Health spokesperson Carol Mochan said: 'This damning report shows women are still being failed by this SNP government with potentially life-threatening consequences. 'Women in the poorest communities are paying the harshest price for the SNP's failure to make screenings accessible and convenient. 'Self-sampling could be a game-changer in boosting cervical cancer screening and tackling these shameful inequalities, but the SNP government broke its promise to roll this out. 'A Scottish Labour government will stand up for women's health and make cancer screenings as accessible as possible so people can get the urgent, lifesaving care they need.' In previous Public Health Scotland publications, the terms 'coverage' and 'uptake' were used interchangeably, while the measure reported was always coverage. In today's report, however, an additional, distinct measure of 'uptake' is also provided. This is the percentage of those invited for screening who have had a cervical screening test within six months of their invitation or reminder letter. Coverage is the percentage of the target population eligible for screening at a given point in time who have had a cervical screening encounter within the past 3.5 or 5.5 years (depending on their age group). The cervical cancer screening programme achieved 63.3% coverage in the financial year 2023/24 compared with a target performance threshold of 80%. Coverage was lower in the most deprived areas at 56.5%, compared with 67.7% in the least deprived areas, a difference of more than 11 percentage points. David Morrison, Consultant in Public Health Medicine at PHS and Director of the Scottish Cancer Registry said: 'This report clearly shows that not everyone eligible for cervical screening in Scotland is benefiting from it. "Cervical screening aims to prevent cancer in the first place by treating abnormal changes in the cervix before they ever become cancer. If you're invited, please take up the offer of cervical screening. If you're worried about having the test, talk to your GP or practice nurse about your concerns - there are ways to make it easier, so don't put it off.' Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women aged 25 to 35 years of age in Scotland, with around six women diagnosed with the disease every week. Cervical screening, also known as a smear test, is a quick test to look at a sample of cells from the cervix (neck of the womb). The sample is checked for human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to changes to the cells in the cervix and causes over 99% of cervical cancers. Scotland introduced a new smear test that screened for HPV in 2020 in order to more effectively identify those at risk of developing cervical cancer. Together with the HPV vaccine, which is offered to all young people in S1, Public Health Scotland has said it is possible to eliminate cervical cancer in the future. The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Government misses key skin cancer quality targets
A total of 10 of 15 Quality Performance Indicators (QPIs) were met in the last year, with persistent challenges in meeting targets related to pathology, imaging and systemic therapy, according to the latest Public Health Scotland data. The data also shows that the limited availability of pathology services and operating theatres in Scotland is causing delays in diagnosing and treating skin cancer. READ MORE: NHS 'dying before our eyes' as third of Scots go private NHS Scotland: 'neurological patients falling through cracks' NHS Scotland: Nearly £2 billion spent on temp nurses and midwives The quality performance indicator target 7 - which deals with pathology and theatre capacity - remains difficult to achieve, as regional reports highlight limited pathology service capacity and operating theatre availability as key barriers to meeting these standards. Performance on imaging scans for patients with melanoma has also declined and has fallen short of national targets. According to Public Health Scotland, this target worsened in 2023-2024 after some improvement in the previous year. The Scottish Conservatives have criticised the government for "shameful delays" to skin cancer treatment which puts "lives at risk". Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: 'Under the SNP, far too many patients are not being diagnosed and treated in time for skin cancer. 'We know that these shameful delays harm a patients chance of recovery and puts lives at risk. 'The SNP's failure to improve cancer services has led to a shortage of vital pathology support and operating theatre access, while performance on melanoma imaging scans continues to decline. 'With Scotland recently enjoying a heatwave and many people enjoying the sun, it was a timely reminder of the dangers of skin cancer — and the critical need for rapid, effective treatment. 'That's why the Scottish Conservatives have set out common-sense proposals to prioritise early detection, promote healthy lifestyles and guarantee cancer services will have the resources they need to support patients.' Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun and, in May, new data published by the charity Melanoma Focus showed 45% of Scottish people suffer from sunburn at least once every year. There are around 17,500 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year and it is the sixth most common cancer in Scotland. Melanoma is considered the most serious form of skin cancer because it has the highest mortality rate, and deaths from melanoma are projected to continue to rise. The Scottish Government are committing £14 million for NHS Health Boards to improve cancer waiting times and £21 million targeted towards imaging. Ministers have said this is in addition to an increase in funding to address pressures within chemotherapy services, reaching up to £10 million annually by 2027, with £6.6 million released in 2025/26. Health Secretary Neil Gray said: 'Whilst we are treating more patients with cancer on time, within both standards, compared to the same quarter 6 years ago, it is vital we do more to reduce cancer waiting times, especially for those cancers which are more aggressive. 'As we see an increasing number of eligible cancer referrals, that means we also see an increase in demand for diagnostics. That is why we have committed to a range of actions to tackle waits. This includes expanding to seven-day radiology services, increasing recruitment of staff, using mobile scanning units and reducing radiology backlogs so that 95% of referrals are seen within six weeks by March 2026."
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Acclaimed play heading to East Kilbride as part of its upcoming Scottish tour
The Junkie Miracles is being taken on tour around small theatres in various locations mainly in the west central belt. An acclaimed play by one of Scotland's best writers is heading to East Kilbride as part of its upcoming Scottish tour. The Junkie Miracles, which premiered three years ago at the Gaiety Theatre, in Ayr, is being taken on tour around small theatres in various locations mainly in the west central belt. This innovative production tells the stories of four addicts from different walks of life who have hit rock bottom and are tumbling into the abyss. Only four miracles can save them. In an inexplicable coincidence each of them, on the same day, is hit by the realisation that all hope of getting back to some semblance of their previous existence, is gone, if they don't do something immediately. Some of the main performers are recovering from their own addiction – whether that's alcohol or drugs – and their stories reflect their own and others' roads to recovery. The play is the concept of highly successful Glasgow writer, Des Dillon, who said: 'I asked these people to tell me about the worst day of their lives, the day they hit rock bottom, and what made them want to recover. 'Here, they do that with great effect. Their stories are unique but also largely unheard because of the stigma around substance they got there in the first place, the depth to which they plummeted and how they tried to get onto the road to recovery and whether or not they succeeded.' He added: 'Coming back out of that in some way or another, doesn't mean they are all necessarily happy endings either.' When the play was premiered at the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr, in the late summer of 2022, one observer noted the empathy felt for the characters by the audience which was drawn from all parts of the community. Since then the production has been under self-scrutiny, development and planning. The tour opens at the Regal Bathgate, on Friday September 5. It then heads to Stirling, and venues in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire before closing at Dumbarton Civic Centre on September 27. The Junkie Miracles performers represent a large, but largely hidden, proportion of Scottish society whose voices have been stifled because of the stigmatic predicament in which they find themselves. Scotland's drug problem remains the worst in Europe with an estimated 60,000 people blighted by addiction – and an unknown number of regular users. The latest statistics from Public Health Scotland (June 2025) say that Scots are drinking 50 per cent above the safe limits, with those in more deprived areas six times more likely to be hospitalised or die from alcohol related causes compared to those in less deprived communities. The Junkie Miracles will be performed at the East Kilbride Village Theatre on Monday, September 22. For ticket information visit the South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture website.
