Renfrewshire Liberal Democrats have launched a petition calling on the Scottish Government to introduce a full, nationwide lung cancer screening programme. Experts say it could save hundreds of lives every year.
Three years ago, the UK National Screening Committee recommended lung cancer screening for people aged 55–74 who smoke or used to. England is already running the programme, and Wales has just announced a full rollout.
However, Scotland has no plans yet.
In June, party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton challenged John Swinney during First Minister’s Questions on why Scots are missing out on this key screening programme.
Councillor Anne Hannigan, the Scottish Liberal Democrat representative for Paisley Southwest, said: “People with cancer in Renfrewshire deserve to know that they have the best possible chance of survival.
“In Scotland, more people die of lung cancer than any other form of disease. Survival rates aren’t much better than they were in the 1970s.
“International studies show Scotland falling behind with cancer care, and the SNP’s failure to roll out this screening programme is another example of that.”
She added: “Renfrewshire Liberal Democrats want to see the government ending their dithering and making a full rollout of this screening programme a top priority. We know there isn’t a moment to lose when it comes to getting cancer patients in Renfrewshire life-saving interventions.”
The Renfrewshire Liberal Democrat petition urges the Scottish Government to commit to a full, nationwide rollout of lung cancer screening. You can sign the petition here: https://www.scotlibdems.org.uk/take-action/campaigns/lung-cancer. The deadline to sign is Friday, 30 September 2025.`
Headline photo: Southwest Scottish Liberal Democrat Councillor Anne Hannigan
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Liberal Democrats