A BLOOD test that could detect lung cancer in patients years earlier than at present will be piloted across Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
Smokers who are at the highest risk of developing the disease will be targeted in an effort to improve survival rates.
Nearly 5000 people are diagnosed every year in Scotland – double the rate of the UK as a whole.
The Health Secretary told the SNP conference: "If the disease is diagnosed early, patients have a 60% chance of survival. But if the cancer is well advanced, the survival rate drops to just 1%. Early detection is paramount and that is why I am delighted to announce today that the Scottish Government is backing a new groundbreaking diagnostic test to detect lung cancer earlier."
The pilot scheme will see 60 GP practices in Scotland test about 10,000 patients for antibodies in the blood, which can increase in number when cancer develops. Those with higher levels of the antibodies will be referred for a CT scan.
Chief Medical Officer Sir Harry Burns said: "The earlier a cancer is diagnosed the greater the chance it can be treated successfully, and currently 85% of patients with lung cancer remain undiagnosed until the disease has reached an advanced stage."
The pilot is a collaboration between the universities of Dundee, Nottingham, Strathclyde and Glasgow, NHS Scotland, the International Prevention Research Initiative and the private firm Oncimmune.
Ms Sturgeon also announced funding of £9 million over three years for carers involved with projects supporting disabled children, dementia suffers and those with mental health and other long-term problems.
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