Chamber and committees

It is also concerning that mesothelioma is linked to the built environment. In my area of Clydebank, folk as young as 30 have been diagnosed with it. May I have your views on that?

No.

Thank you for that.

The British Occupational and Hygiene Society has said in its written evidence:

“Scotland has a differing workplace demographic and industrial heritage from the rest of the countries in the UK.”

Can you give us some views on the extent of Scotland-specific issues in the types and instances of industrial disease? I will go to Lucy Kenyon for that one. I am sorry, Lucy—I think that you also wanted to come in on the last question.

Thank you, convener, for your indulgence. I think that Lucy Kenyon wants to come in.

My question was specifically on your views of the value of SEIAC undertaking an investigation on the same issues as the IIAC.

Good morning, panel. I want to go back to the issue of duplication. Professor Macdonald, your written submission states:

“A repeat of the IIAC in Scotland would duplicate resources and experts.”

What is your view of SEIAC undertaking an investigation of the same issues as the IIAC? I know that you have covered a bit of that already, but it would be great if you could expand on what you have said.

I just wanted to ask Professor Macdonald to comment briefly on the extent of the Scotland-specific issues. If he does not want to come in, though, that is okay.

A recent “Building a New Scotland” paper sets out the Scottish Government’s proposals for a humane and principled migration policy after independence. The United Kingdom’s hostile environment policies came into effect under former Prime Minister David Cameron. This week, he is back in Cabinet, unelected and unaccountable. Does the minister agree that the sooner Scotland can introduce our own migration policy that treats migrants with respect, the better it will be?

To ask the Scottish Government how it is assessing feedback to the “Building a New Scotland” series of papers. (S6O-02712)

I am grateful to my colleague Willie Coffey for securing this important debate on pancreatic cancer awareness month. The issue is, I know, close to his heart, as he lost his mother to this horrific disease.

Since being elected in 2021, I have spoken in two previous debates on pancreatic cancer awareness month, which were brought to the chamber by my colleague Clare Adamson MSP. It is an issue that I will always feel is incredibly important to talk about; we are fortunate to have this platform as elected members, so we must use it to raise awareness and fight for better survival rates.

This horrible disease has, sadly, taken too many of my constituents, and I will pay tribute to them later in my speech. Pancreatic awareness month is so important, and I take this opportunity to thank all the charities that do so much to raise awareness throughout the month and, indeed, all year round.

Pancreatic cancer deserves much more attention than the one month of the year that it is given. It is one of the deadliest of all common cancers, with a five-year survival rate of 7.3 per cent; there are more than 900 new pancreatic cancer cases in Scotland and 10,500 in the UK each year; and unfortunately, only 10 per cent of patients are diagnosed in time for life-saving surgery. According to Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland, patients will visit their GPs an average of four times before being diagnosed. That is really worrying. As we know, early detection saves lives, and GPs play such an important role in that respect.

If the cancer is not detected and left to spread, it can often be too late for any form of treatment. That is why we need to do more—not just this month, but every month—to increase awareness of the symptoms among the public and GPs. Some of the signs and symptoms that might indicate pancreatic cancer have already been mentioned, but they include jaundice, upper abdominal pain or discomfort, mid-back pain, pale and foul smelling stools, loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea and vomiting, a new onset of diabetes, fatigue, changes in bowel habits and unexplained weight loss without trying. Improving awareness of the symptoms can and will save lives.

The issue is incredibly upsetting, and looking at the figures can be a very bleak experience, but it is also important that we highlight the positive news, because we must have hope. After all, if we do not have hope, what have we got? It is therefore inspiring to hear that Pancreatic Cancer UK has, this year, funded a new clinical study to develop a breath test that could detect pancreatic cancer early enough to save thousands of lives every year. The research, which is being conducted by a team at Imperial College London led by Professor George Hanna, involves studying people with early pancreatic cancer symptoms, which are often mistaken for other less serious health conditions, and what happens if they are rapidly referred for scans and life-saving treatment.

If the study is successful, it could make the biggest difference to pancreatic cancer survival rates in 50 years. It would give GPs, who are the first port of call for many health concerns, the tools to make such a difference. It would be a breakthrough, so I hope that the team are really successful, and I wish them well.

I pay tribute to my constituents who have lost their lives, because of pancreatic cancer. Helen, Donald, Billy and Christine will be forever missed but never forgotten. Their memory lives on, and their families are resolute in their determination to find a cure for the disease. In their memory, I will continue to do everything that I can to raise awareness of this terrible disease and to fight for more research in order to increase survival rates. We can and must do more.