Early detection of bowel cancer

The Scottish government’s Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme has provided £1.5 million of funding to support implementation of a new model to treat the disease.

New funding from the Scottish government’s Detect Cancer Early (DCE) programme has set out a model for NHS Scotland to follow and aims to diagnose and treat colorectal cancer more quickly.

Scotland’s Colorectal Optimal Cancer Diagnostic Pathway has been designed by clinical experts at NHS Golden Jubilee’s Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD).

Patients will now be able to receive multiple tests at one time, which should reduce visits to hospital, speed up time to diagnosis and improve the quality and safety of care.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in Scotland, representing 11% of all cancer deaths.

“Bowel cancer touches thousands of families in Scotland every year, and we know the difference early diagnosis can make – more treatment options, more time with loved ones, and better outcomes,” said health secretary Neil Gray. 

Early diagnosis

Scotland’s Cancer Strategy was published in June 2023, including a new ambition for earlier diagnosis to reduce later-stage disease by 18% over the next decade.

The pathway launch is being supported by the latest phase of the Scottish government’s “Be the Early Bird” campaign, which reinforces the benefits of finding cancer at an earlier stage, when there are more treatment options available and a greater chance of living well after treatment. 

The Scottish government’s Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme has provided £1.5 million of funding to support implementation of the new pathway.

“Bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early. The earlier patients are diagnosed with the disease, the greater their chance of survival,” said Lisa Wilde, director of research, policy and influencing at Bowel Cancer UK. 

“By supporting earlier diagnosis and reducing waiting times, this work has the potential to improve efficiency across the system and, importantly, deliver better outcomes for patients.”