Priority 3 - Cancer Improvement and Earlier Diagnosis
Reduce the proportion of later-stage cancers (stage 3 and 4) diagnosed over the next 10 years, with a focus on those from areas of deprivation.
Responsible Team: Cancer Improvement and Earlier Diagnosis Programme
Implementation of the Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme
The Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme includes five large-scale workstreams that help support delivery of the Scottish Government’s 10-year national cancer strategy, as set out below.
DCE Programme: Public education and empowerment
The successful "Be the Early Bird" campaign was rerun during the year. An independent evaluation report assessing the impact of the campaign was commissioned. This showed that the campaign successfully increased public awareness of the benefits of having their symptoms checked earlier.
DCE Programme: Diagnostics
A new head and neck diagnostic pathway was developed and published. A supporting toolkit to help clinical staff implement the pathway was also developed and published alongside the pathway. In addition, the existing lung pathway was reviewed and updated.
DCE Programme: Data
Over the year, the team have worked with PHS to develop a process for publishing validated data relating to urgent suspicion of cancer (USOC) referrals. They have also scoped the potential to publish more timely staging data for additional cancer types. This work will continue next year.
DCE Programme: Innovation
The Cancer and Innovation teams have supported the development of a Chest X-Ray Artificial Intelligence project through the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) pathway.
During the year, a Strategic Case setting out the benefits of the project was developed and approved by the Scottish Government. This work will continue into next year when a final Value Case will be developed. This will set out the potential for national adoption of this project.
DCE Programme: Primary Care
During the year, a project to update the Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer was started.
Initial work included performing a clinically-led review of data, and carrying out a survey to canvas for research, papers and journals from across primary and secondary care and the third sector.
The team also carried out preparatory work to a support series of peer review sessions that will take place during the next year.
Evaluation and Expansion of Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (RCDS)
The team continued to support the development of the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Services (RCDS), including the three early adopter sites and two new sites that were established during the year. In addition, and independent RCDS evaluation was commissioned from Strathclyde University.
To support this evaluation, the team also sourced relevant comparison data from other UK nations and carried out a survey of primary care practitioners. The team also worked with Boards to share learning and best practice relating to the RCDS.
The findings of the independent evaluation were very positive and highlighted many benefits arising from the RCDS. Over the next year, the team will develop an RCDS toolkit to share learning and best practice.
Framework for Effective Cancer Management (FECM)
The team continued to meet with Board Cancer Manaqement Teams regularly to ensure the Framework for Effective Cancer Management is fully embedded and patients are diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.
Where cancer pathway challenges were identified, the team provided tailored support as necessary, including sharing best practice from other areas and working with Boards to explore potential solutions.