The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-16803, in the name of Marie McNair, on testicular cancer awareness month. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I encourage members who wish to participate to press their request-to-speak buttons.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament recognises Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, which runs throughout the month of April 2025; notes that this takes place to raise awareness about testicular cancer and educate people about early detection and treatment; understands that this disease most commonly affects people aged between 15 and 45, and that, if detected early, testicular cancer has more than a 95% cure rate; further understands that approximately 220 people in Scotland are diagnosed each year, with the most common symptoms being a lump or swelling in a testicle, or dull ache, pain or heaviness in the scrotum; recognises what it sees as the importance of this month in raising awareness of the symptoms, tackle common myths and encourage self-checking; commends the tireless work done by Scotland’s only dedicated testicular cancer charity, Cahonas Scotland, based in Clydebank, and thanks it for the significant work that it has done to raise awareness, from its “Check Yer Bawballs” campaign, which garnered significant media attention, to its educational talks and free resources, and for its work supporting men beyond diagnosis with cancer care packs, a podcast and peer support programme, and hopes for a productive and successful Testicular Cancer Awareness Month.
17:17
I am grateful to have secured the debate and to end the month of April by discussing testicular cancer awareness. I thank colleagues across parties for supporting my motion and for speaking in tonight’s debate. I hope that everyone will join me in welcoming to the gallery Ritchie Marshall and Jennifer Hardie from Cahonas Scotland. Members will know that Cahonas is Scotland’s only dedicated testicular cancer charity, but they may not know that it is based right next door to me in Clydebank.
Testicular cancer may not be the most talked-about form of cancer, but that does not make it any less important. That is why I feel that it is important to speak on the matter. Testicular cancer awareness month, which runs throughout April, takes place to highlight the disease and educate people about early detection and treatment. It is also a time for tackling common myths and encouraging self-checking.
The disease most commonly affects people aged between 15 and 45, with approximately 220 people in Scotland being diagnosed each year. If it is detected early, the cure rate is more than 95 per cent, so awareness of the key symptoms is vital. The symptoms to look out for are an ache or swelling in the testicle, or a dull ache, pain or heaviness in the scrotum. If you notice any of those symptoms, please see a doctor. Do not wait: testicular cancer does not wait, and neither should you.
I was keen to hold the debate after meeting Ritchie Marshall and Paul McCaffery from Cahonas. As I mentioned, the organisation is based in Clydebank and I know how much work it has done, so I am keen to highlight it in the Parliament. What struck me most about our conversations was how little attention that type of cancer has received. Unfortunately, far too many people do not know the signs or are too afraid or embarrassed to discuss them. Awareness is vital but, currently, most young people leave school without knowing how to self-check or what symptoms to look out for. I therefore call on the minister to address what further work can be done, working with Cahonas, to ensure that testicular cancer awareness can be further implemented at school level.
For context, Cahonas was set up in 2009 by founder and chief executive, Ritchie Marshall. Since that time, it has been at the forefront of men’s health education, working to break down stigma, encouraging early detection and ensuring that no one in Scotland faces testicular cancer alone. Cahonas has been driven by personal experience and is built on the belief that education and support save lives. I whole-heartedly agree about that.
I am always keen to show the good work that is happening in my constituency, and Cahonas is a great example. Its work has achieved international recognition. It offers various vital services, such as education sessions, which are led by its community engagement officer, Paul McCaffery, whose personal story brings real-life experience to the organisation’s messages.
Paul discovered a lump 10 years ago, after seeing one of the Cahonas self-check guides, which led him to his early diagnosis. He has since credited Cahonas for saving his life and is dedicated to helping others to do the same. It is an honourable cause, and I thank him for his work.
From international campaigns such as “Check yer bawballs”, which reached tens of millions of people worldwide, to care packages, peer support and even a podcast, Cahonas ensures that men have access to knowledge, tools and support to protect their health.
I will take a moment to tell the story of an individual who received a diagnosis of testicular cancer.
“When I first received my testicular cancer diagnosis, I felt completely alone and unsure of where to turn. Talking about my experience openly on the podcast not only helped me process those overwhelming emotions, but it also reminded me that there are others out there facing the same challenges.
Cahonas is doing incredible work, providing not just support but a sense of community for men who are going through similar diagnoses.
The podcast is a lifeline, offering valuable insights and a space where people can share their stories, learn from others and feel understood. I know firsthand how crucial that kind of support is, and I’m grateful that Cahonas continues to make such a difference in the lives of men like me.”
That touches on an important point. Awareness goes beyond the physical. It is also about mental health, emotional support and building a community in which no one feels that they must face cancer alone.
It is also about standing with those who are going through the treatment. Testicular cancer is not just a physical condition; it impacts identity, fertility, relationships and long-term mental health. Cahonas has created that wraparound support beyond the hospital ward, helping men to rebuild their lives and self-confidence. I would be interested to know whether better collaboration could be achieved to ensure that post-treatment services can be better supported.
Awareness starts with a conversation—with breaking down stigma and encouraging our friends and family to know that real strength is found in taking care of ourselves. We need to normalise open, honest conversations about men’s health. Having spaces in which men feel comfortable to ask questions and share concerns without shame is a core part of that.
To all those battling testicular cancer, I say, “You are not alone.” To those such as Paul who have come out the other side and used their platforms to help others, I say, “Thank you for your courage and determination.”
As we end testicular cancer awareness month, I thank members for attending the debate to help to raise awareness. Most of all, my sincere thanks go to Ritchie, Paul and everyone else who is involved with Cahonas. You have, truly, saved lives, and for that I am extremely grateful.
We move to the open debate.
17:25
I thank Marie McNair for bringing this important debate to the chamber. I have spoken about cancer awareness, specifically bowel cancer awareness, in April in previous years, and I have had to mention things that we perhaps do not look at until we see them face to face. I have talked about seeing blood in your poo and the other symptoms, and I think that it is important that we normalise those discussions.
Testicular cancer, which we are talking about tonight, is dangerous. There are 2,500 new cases every year, leading to about 65 deaths each year. Catching it early is the way to deal with it. I am therefore going to try to follow the advice of Kenny Everett, and do this “in the best possible taste”.
On that basis, Deputy Presiding Officer, I will take you on a journey to your local supermarket. If you go to the fruit aisle, specifically the section where you find pears, I ask you to pick up a pear and look at it.
I have to say that, when I was researching this speech, I did not realise that there were quite so many varieties of pears available, from Conference and Concorde pears to Taylor’s Gold and Bartlett pears—in fact, there are some 300 varieties.
When you go to select your pear, you get what you are given on the supermarket shelves. If you pick up a pear and it is misshapen or hard, or if you push it and it causes you pain, you would reject it and do something about it.
That takes me back to the subject that we are talking about tonight, which is testicular cancer. If you find any of those symptoms, you must do something about it. To do nothing is to endanger your life. It might be just those symptoms alone, or there might be other symptoms, such as losing weight, having a cough, having difficulty breathing or a swollen chest, or having a history of testicular cancer in your family, that you are ignoring or do not recognise. However, if you recognise any of them, my strong advice is that you should go straight to the doctor early on and ask to be tested.
My belief is that if we talk normally about testicular cancer—not necessarily by comparing it to a journey to the supermarket, but by talking about the symptoms and raising awareness—we could save lives. It does not matter if only one life is saved—that one life is absolutely vital.
I pay tribute to Cahonas Scotland for its “Check yer bawballs” campaign and to Movember—both charities that are involved in men’s health. I remind everyone that, when it comes to cancer, if you find something at any stage that causes you concern, it will probably cause the doctor concern and it will get checked. If you get it checked, it might be nothing, but if it is something, you could save your life, and that is really important.
17:27
I pay tribute to my colleague Marie McNair for securing today’s important debate. In Parliament, we—understandably—devote a lot of time to discussing women’s health issues, so I really welcome the opportunity to speak in a debate with a male focus, on testicular cancer.
As we have heard, testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United Kingdom aged 15 to 45. A total of 2,400 men in the UK are diagnosed each year. In Scotland, 175 men were diagnosed with testicular cancer between October 2022 and September 2023. That represents a decrease from October 2021 to September 2022, when 183 men were diagnosed, but an increase from October 2022 to September 2021, when 161 were diagnosed.
Although more than six men are diagnosed each day across the UK, it is important to note that survival rates have risen every year since the 1970s. When testicular cancer is detected in its early stages, it is 96 per cent curable—the outlook is one of the best among all cancers. According to Cancer Research UK, around 95 out of 100 men survive their cancer for one year or more after they are diagnosed; around 95 out of 100 will survive their cancer for five years or more after diagnosis; and around 90 out of hundred men will survive their cancer for 10 years or more after diagnosis.
However, men should not allow those survival figures to act as a deterrent to regular checking, nor should they become complacent. While nearly all men survive testicular cancer, if the cancer has spread, the rate of survival for five years or more can reduce to 65 per cent, so checking is incredibly important.
The most common symptom is a lump or swelling in a testicle, or a dull ache, pain or heaviness in the scrotum. Usually, those symptoms are caused by nothing more than injury or infection. However, if you notice any of these signs or a combination of them, do not leave it to chance—speak to your general practitioner to make sure.
I, too, take the time to congratulate Cahonas Scotland—which is based in Marie McNair’s constituency, as we heard from her—on the work that it does to raise awareness of testicular cancer. As Scotland’s only dedicated testicular cancer charity, it has a range of resources to raise awareness, offer advice and support men through their cancer journey. On its website, men can input their mobile number and the charity will text them a monthly self-check reminder at no cost to them. Alternatively, men can sign up for the monthly newsletter for updates, also with a self-check reminder.
As is the case with so many men’s issues, men are often too uncomfortable to talk about testicular cancer and its prevention. That is why when men are brave enough to go public with a diagnosis, it can save lives by bringing renewed attention and focus to the disease.
Members across the chamber may remember, or be aware of, the former Celtic player Alan Stubbs, who was diagnosed with, and survived, testicular cancer twice. Although his cancer was initially detected through a post-match drugs test, he has been a strong advocate of men checking their testicles regularly for signs of disease. I am in no doubt that the increased awareness of testicular cancer as a result of people such as Alan Stubbs going public has helped men across the UK and saved their lives.
Will the member take an intervention?
I will in one second. First, I just want to clarify something about Alan Stubbs. It was a hormone that was picked up in that drugs test—it was not about any substances that he should not have had in his body.
I am sure that he will be very grateful for the clarification.
I thank the member for taking my intervention. I have been there and done that—I went for the examination; it is very straightforward and it certainly gives peace of mind.
Men often talk about things tangentially in the pub, such as how many times we have to go to the toilet when we get to a certain age, and they are not embarrassed about that. However, testicular cancer probably goes just that little bit further. Does the member agree that raising awareness is often about the blokes in the pub being able to joke about it, as Edward Mountain did, and that that is how we can get the message out about how important it is that we actually go and get checked?
I can give you the time back, Ms Haughey.
In response to Mr Carson, I say that I certainly hope so. Obviously, not being a bloke in the pub, I am not privy to a lot of those conversations, but as the mother of three sons, I would certainly encourage them to talk about their health and to do checks regularly.
We have heard about Cahonas Scotland’s “Check yer bawballs” campaign at Christmas, which has ensured that men get talking about testicular cancer and has, more importantly, got them checking.
In closing, I thank Marie McNair again for securing today’s debate, and I pay tribute to charities such as Cahonas Scotland and Cancer Research UK.
I call Paul Sweeney, who joins us remotely.
17:33
I, too, extend my thanks to Marie McNair, the member for Clydebank and Milngavie, for securing this important members’ business debate during testicular cancer awareness month. I echo her commendation of the Cahonas Scotland charity, which is based in her constituency and has done so much to tackle stigma through good-humoured campaigning.
As has been mentioned, testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK aged between 15 and 45, and yet we know that there is still a real sense of stigma associated with the disease. That is partly understandable—it affects an intimate part of the body, and so for many men who already struggle to talk openly about health issues, the nature of the subject makes it a step too far. They either do not check for symptoms, ignore symptoms or simply put off seeking help until it is too late, and yet we know that, as with so many conditions, the first step to treatment and recovery is to ask for help and get a diagnosis.
If we are not willing to talk about testicular cancer and act on symptoms when they first present, lives will be lost that could have been saved. There is nothing strong or brave about suffering in silence—it is much stronger and braver to reach out and get the help that you need. Given that the survival rate for testicular cancer that is caught early is 95 per cent, the difference between silence and getting help is literally a matter of life or death. How many children are without parents, spouses without partners and parents without children, because embarrassment or procrastination meant that help was not sought out when needed?
We read that someone with testicular cancer who has surgery to have one testicle removed will not be affected by that. There are also ways of storing semen, should someone have to have both testicles removed. The long-term effect of the surgery is that it keeps the person alive. Does Mr Sweeney agree that we ought to discuss that and make it clear that treatment is better than nothing at all?
I thank Mr Mountain for making those points. That issue is an important aspect of future campaigning. We know that a lot of current campaigning takes the form of good-natured and humorous campaigns, which are important—the work that is done by Oddballs underwear and Movember is really useful—but when we look at the HIV stigma campaigns, we can see that a lot of work has been done to change the narrative around that, and send the message that HIV no longer presents the critical health implications that it once did, and that people with HIV can now live relatively normal lives. Perhaps we need to change the narratives around reproductive health for men, which is an aspect that is often not considered when talking about testicular cancer. Mr Mountain’s point on that was really insightful and important.
I know that many people will of course be thinking about Capital Radio DJ Chris Stark, who revealed only last month that he had undergone chemotherapy for testicular cancer. I found his public statement to be very moving and I hope that it will encourage others to seek out treatment, so I thought that I would quote a few lines from it. He said:
“The reason I want to share this is that I feel like an idiot that I didn’t spot this sooner. And although I’m effectively cured and it was caught early, my hope is any bloke reading this will perhaps think to check themselves today. Or go to a doctor if not sure about any possible symptoms.
Caught early, this cancer is so so treatable. It is most common in men aged 18-49.
I also think it’s a tricky subject matter to talk about, but I’m willing to put my now one ball on the line here if it helps make that conversation less tricky for guys.”
He says that, if doing that
“Encourages someone to check themselves”
and
“potentially saves a life”,
it will have been well worth it. I am sure that the entire Parliament commends Mr Stark for his bravery and wishes him a very swift recovery; we look forward to hearing him return to the radio soon.
Fighting the stigma around testicular cancer must be a priority for this session of Parliament, particularly as it affects young men, who often do not interact with primary care until later in life.
I welcome this debate, and I hope that the discussion will go beyond the chamber and will continue long after parliamentary business has ended. If it does, lives will be saved. Therefore, let us all increase those conversations about awareness of testicular cancer and the need for men to check themselves regularly, and fight against the stigma that prevents people asking for help and getting a diagnosis early. We all need to play our part in that discussion, and for that reason I am happy to support the motion this afternoon.
17:37
I thank my colleague Marie McNair for bringing this important debate to the chamber on a topic that many still find difficult to talk about.
This might be a bit of a stereotype, but I think that it is one that definitely holds some truth: men are notorious for ignoring their own health. It is interesting to note that, today, we have a woman helping to get the conversation going in Parliament to mark testicular cancer awareness month.
Many of us with men in our lives will be all too familiar with the battle of encouraging them to see their GP when they finally disclose to us that they have noticed a change that needs to be checked out. That can be about any part of the body but, when it comes to what is between their legs, the embarrassment factor is ramped up, meaning that changes are not discussed or explored in a timeous manner. It should not be that way, and that is why I applaud the efforts of Cahonas Scotland, which is working hard to raise awareness about testicular cancer and to encourage men to be aware of the symptoms and see their GP if they notice any changes. Its brilliant, stigma-busting “Check yer bawballs” Christmas campaign, which has been mentioned several times already, has been supported by famous figures such as Ayrshire’s footballer Billy Gilmour, who have helped to send the message that, once in a while, preferably monthly, men need to check their testicles.
As we have heard today, if testicular cancer is detected early, there is a 95 per cent cure rate, and survival rates have risen every year since the 1970s. However, it can be detected early only if men know what to look out for and are proactive. Therefore, I will repeat the symptoms, just to really hammer the message home. Men should be aware of a lump or swelling, heaviness and discomfort or pain. Like others who have spoken today, I encourage all men listening to this debate to head to the Cahonas Scotland website and sign up for its monthly self-check reminder, which will ensure that they get a text once a month to remind them to give themselves a quick examination, using the handy guide that can be found on the website. A quick check after a bath or shower is the best plan and is something that all men should work into their schedules.
That is also the call of Capital Radio presenter Chris Stark, who, as Paul Sweeney just mentioned, recently announced that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, but that, thankfully, it was caught early and he is now effectively cured. He wants all other men to set aside their blushes and encourage each other to check themselves. That just might save someone’s life.
Cahonas Scotland has launched a new campaign called “Check Your Balls for LIFE” to mark testicular cancer awareness month. LIFE stands for lumps, irregularities, firmness and enlargement. The good news is that most of those symptoms are not caused by cancer, but it is important for men who encounter them to keep calm and contact their GP to double check.
I am eager to hear from the minister about what steps the Scottish Government has taken or could take to spread awareness and educate men further about testicular cancer and how to check for it, especially young men, as we know that most cases of testicular cancer affect those aged 15 to 45. We need that knowledge to be as well understood and widely known as breast self-examination is for women—that is something that is hammered home to us at a very early age. We need young men to be leaving education with an understanding of why it is important that they give themselves a check.
Today, we have heard a positive message for men, overall. Testicular cancer is rare in Scotland and it is also easy to diagnose and treat. However, that is the case only if we get the right message out there and get men to talk, take responsibility for their health and get on the phone to their GP if they need to. They must just forget about the embarrassment. There are prosthetics and all sorts of things out there. Men do not need to worry about having one ball—they can have two at the end of this anyway.
17:41
I thank Marie McNair for securing this opportunity to talk about testicular cancer. I also thank Cahonas Scotland, which, as the motion states, is Scotland’s only dedicated testicular cancer charity.
As others have said, testicular cancer is rare. It is more likely to be found in younger men, most commonly affecting those aged between 15 and 45. Early detection and treatment are key, with a 95 per cent cure rate when the cancer is found early.
As the motion highlights, approximately 220 people in Scotland are diagnosed each year. The latest NHS Shetland data shows low numbers of testicular cancer patients in the isles over the past five years, with no diagnoses in 2020 or 2021—people avoiding seeing the doctor during the height of the Covid pandemic might have had something to do with that. In the past five years, all cases in Shetland were treated within the target period.
Of course, low numbers do not make island men indestructible, and, just as women are encouraged to regularly check their breasts for any lumps, bumps or changes, so, too, should men self-check themselves.
Edward Mountain is right to say that we need to normalise discussions about the issue, and I agree with Claire Haughey’s point that we more often speak about women’s health than men’s. Therefore, I am happy to set aside my discomfort and contribute to this debate on men’s health.
Checking in the shower is recommended. Feeling the weight is important. Often, testicles are different sizes, but they should not feel heavier or larger than usual. Things to look out for include lumps, heaviness, build-up of fluid in the scrotum, pain and/or discomfort in the testicles or scrotum and pain in the lower back. Those symptoms can be caused by injury or infection, rather than cancer, but it is important that men see a doctor if they notice any of those signs or a combination of them. If a man knows what is normal for themselves, that will help them to spot changes.
Education is vital, and I support calls for greater awareness raising, for reducing stigma and for myth-busting. Men should not let embarrassment put them off going to see their GP.
Before I conclude, I want to raise the 13-month delay of the proposed swift urological response evaluation—SURE—unit at Aberdeen royal infirmary, which is of serious concern. NHS Grampian works closely with NHS Shetland, offering many of my constituents healthcare treatment that is not available in the islands. The SURE unit will cover patients needing treatment for urological cancers, including prostate, penis, kidney, bladder, and testicular cancer. With plans first mooted in 2021, there had been hopes to have patients seen in the department by May. I recognise the financial issues at NHS Grampian, but I would appreciate it if the minister could use some of her time to address that point in her response.
I now call Fulton MacGregor, who is the final speaker in the open debate. You have up to four minutes, Mr MacGregor.
17:44
Initially, I had not intended to speak in the debate, Presiding Officer, so I thank you for allowing me to come in. I might not use up my whole time.
Like others, I thank Marie McNair for bringing this important debate to the chamber. I thought that, as a man, I would rise to say that I agree with what has been said. Testicular cancer is not an issue that is often talked about. When men are socialising with other male friends, it is probably not a health area that we would particularly mention. That is why it is important that campaigns such as the one that we have heard about today continue to go ahead across the world.
I chose to speak because I want to pay tribute to the Cahonas Scotland campaign that is mentioned in the motion and has been highlighted by everyone who has spoken today. We are all used to interacting every year with the “Check yer bawballs” campaign, which has been extremely effective.
One of the reasons that it has been so effective is that it has pushed the boundaries. I recall that the first time that I got involved in the campaign, I was getting my partner to take pictures of me by the Christmas tree. At one point, although she was not fully questioning what we were doing, she said, “Are you sure you’ll be all right to do this? You won’t get into any trouble?” I said that I would definitely be fine, because others had done it. However, the fact that she and others asked that question shows that the campaign was pushing the boundaries. It is an effective campaign, with vast amounts of celebrity endorsements every year, and it became a common theme on Twitter—people might remember that, at one point, before the past couple of years, Twitter was good, and it was common to see celebrities popping up on our feeds to support the campaign.
In the first year that I took part in the campaign—I think that it might have been the first year of the campaign—I was retweeted by none other than William Shatner himself. It is my claim to fame. He retweeted me to say, “This looks like a really good idea.” I think that he was giving me the credit for the idea, but he would quickly have learned that it was indeed the idea of Cahonas Scotland. However, as a verified Trekkie—although I was more of a “Next Generation” fan—it was good to receive kudos the following day from colleagues who had seen that I had been retweeted by William Shatner. That demonstrates the people who were becoming involved in the campaign—I think that, after that, William Shatner went on to take his own photograph as part of the campaign.
I have to say that, last Christmas, I did not take a photograph for the campaign. That is because I did a search using the hashtag and I did not get a lot of results. That is not to say that there definitely were not many photographs—the activity might have moved forum or whatever—but I did not really see a lot this year. I know that representatives of Cahonas Scotland are in the public gallery, and I say to them that I wonder whether it is possible to either bring the campaign back or, if it was brought back last Christmas, to do a bit more to make it more noticeable next year. It is a very effective campaign, although I can see the arguments for why taking a year’s break or giving it a lower profile for a while is a good idea—we want the campaign to have an impact, rather than people feeling that they are just taking the same photo every 12 months.
Overall, I do not want my words to be seen as a criticism. I pressed my button to speak today because I think that the work that Cahonas Scotland does is absolutely fantastic and I wanted to add my voice to that. I want to say to the people involved in it that they should keep it up, and, like all the other speakers have done, I want to say to men—including Edward Mountain, Paul Sweeney and myself—that we should check ourselves regularly and not be too shy to go to the GP if we find something.
I call Jenni Minto to wind up the debate.
17:48
I, too, thank my colleague Marie McNair for bringing this motion to the chamber today, and for reminding us all of the impact that diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer can have.
In addition, I thank Cahonas Scotland for its continued efforts to raise awareness and support those who are affected by testicular cancer. It is great to see its representatives here tonight, and I welcome them to the chamber. I also thank all my colleagues who have contributed to the debate and shared their insights. I say to Edward Mountain that he certainly did so in the best possible taste.
The underlying comment in all the contributions has been that men—and women—need to speak about the various cancers that exist. I absolutely agree with Finlay Carson: men can speak about these issues in more relaxed circumstances—perhaps more relaxed than in this chamber, although I think that we have done really well tonight. I recognise that from visits that I have been on with regard to other cancers. One woman spoke to me about the fact that, when she learned more about her reproductive health, she was able to share that with her husband, who was then able to speak about that when he was out with his friends.
One of the issues is that if a man has an issue and gets it checked, he is not likely to talk about it. Sadly, too often, it is only when men are diagnosed with testicular or prostate cancer that they go out and talk about it. Perhaps we should have more people saying that they had a concern and went and had it checked and it was fine; that may encourage more men to go.
Absolutely, and that is certainly how my colleagues Clare Haughey and Elena Whitham described the process of breast cancer awareness and checking.
Cahonas Scotland has made that sort of thing so accessible on its website. Marie McNair asked me to talk about the education side and the importance of recognising that it is young men from 15 onwards who could be diagnosed. That is something that the website does really well. It shows a father and son, and I think that the choice of Seán Batty to do the interview is inspired, given that he is so well known and recognised.
Paul Sweeney talked about Chris Stark from Capital Radio and previously Radio 1, who is someone that younger people will know about. Paul was correct when he talked about changing the narrative, which is exactly what Finlay Carson just indicated in his intervention. As Elena Whitham said, we all need to set aside our blushes and ensure that we can talk about the subject, and there are opportunities in the chamber to allow us to do that.
In June 2023, the Scottish Government published an ambitious 10-year cancer strategy, and we remain absolutely determined to improve cancer survival rates and provide excellent and equitable care for all people who are facing cancer. The strategy takes a comprehensive approach to improving patient pathways in cancer, from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care.
We all know, and Marie McNair highlighted, that April is testicular cancer awareness month. To mark that, the Scottish Government lit up St Andrews house in blue on 16 April, and we will continue to do that every year. We also continue to invest in our detect cancer earlier programme. Every member who has contributed to the debate tonight has commented on the importance of detecting testicular cancer earlier, and we very much recognise that the earlier cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat. We therefore continue to invest in cancer diagnostics and efforts to reduce waiting times.
We also reran the award-winning “Be the early bird” awareness campaign in March. Again, that is a campaign that encourages and empowers people—it tries to reduce the fear and stigma of cancer, which has been talked about today, and it encourages people to act as early as possible. Our get checked early online resource has a wealth of information on testicular cancer. The interview with Paul McCaffery of Cahonas Scotland, who—as other members have said—has lived experience, is well worth watching and learning from. I am delighted to hear that he has accepted an invitation to attend a reception at Buckingham palace this week to spotlight Cahonas Scotland’s work at a celebration of community-based initiatives raising awareness about cancer and supporting those living with cancer.
As others have said, although testicular cancer is a relatively rare cancer, it is the most common type of cancer to affect men between 15 and 45. However, it is also one of the most treatable types, and survival rates are among the best for cancer. However, as we have heard, unfortunately, men are often reluctant to seek healthcare advice and support, as evidenced by a recent health insight survey from the Office for National Statistics.
I hope that the debate tonight has allowed people the ability to speak much more about testicular cancer.
Ěý
One thing is clear: testicular cancer often runs in a family. Is there any way, therefore, that the minister could direct the health service to alert people who have testicular cancer in their family to carry out the checks on a regular basis? That may be one way of reducing the impact quite quickly and simply.
I thank Edward Mountain for his suggestion—I am happy to take it away and explore what more we could do. As I said earlier, his analogy was extremely helpful—it can basically be summarised as saying that we have to listen to our bodies and make sure that we speak to the doctor. I will certainly take away Mr Mountain’s suggestion.
As Marie McNair and every other member has said, Cahonas Scotland is the only dedicated testicular cancer charity. It absolutely recognises the value in educating everyone about the signs and symptoms of that cancer and the importance—as I mentioned—of early detection through regular self-checking, and its work is invaluable. As I said, I have spent some time looking at its website, which has some fantastic resources, including how to carry out self-checks and—as Clare Haughey and Elena Whitham mentioned—a text service to send reminders to do that. It is absolutely correct that education saves lives.
I will touch on Beatrice Wishart’s question about the SURE unit in Aberdeen. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care has been dealing with that and I understand that NHS Grampian is committed to refurbishing an alternative site, with the intention to
“provide an excellent facility for ... the Sure unit”,
but I will follow up in writing with the member after the debate.
I thank Fulton MacGregor for sharing his personal experience of, and engagement with, the annual “Check your bawballs” campaign each December. I know that the campaign has hugely helped to reduce the stigma and embarrassment when talking about testicular cancer. I congratulate him on his “Star Trek” connections, and I also congratulate Cahonas Scotland for the global—and perhaps even intergalactic—reach that its campaign has had. The wraparound service is so important. I note, too, that Sam Heughan is also an ambassador for the charity because his brother Cirdan was diagnosed with testicular cancer. That engagement is incredibly important.
In closing, I make clear the Scottish Government’s enduring commitment to improving testicular cancer awareness. In doing so, we can improve early diagnosis rates as well as patient experience and overall outcomes. It is crucial that we continue to raise awareness of cancer symptoms, and I thank everyone who is helping to do so in order, as Elena Whitham said, to extend people’s lives.
That concludes the debate, and I close this meeting of Parliament.
Meeting closed at 17:58.Ěý
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