Scores of Lanarkshire people from the region's poorest areas are missing vital cancer screening checks that could save their lives.
"Concerning" new data from Public Health Scotland has revealed that Lanarkshire is the second worst area in all of Scotland for people taking up bowel cancer screening checks.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer and the second most common cause of death due to cancer in Scotland.
Yet Lanarkshire is below the national average of 65 per cent for check-ups, which are supposed to take place every two years in an effort to spot the cancer before symptoms develop.
The NHS target for uptake is 60 per cent, which men in Lanarkshire did not reach, sitting at 59.8 - one of only two areas in Scotland below the target, along with Greater Glasgow & Clyde.
Women in the area were slightly better for uptake, at 63.1, which is still below the national average.
The Public Health Scotland data also revealed that uptake is worse in poorer areas, meaning parts of Rutherglen, Cambuslang, Hamilton and Airdrie are likely to fare badly, and that more positive tests were returned in Lanarkshire than any other health board except for Greater Glasgow & Clyde.
It stated: "Positivity was 2.7 per cent in this period, with male positivity (3.2per cent) higher than female (2.2 per cent). Positivity varies by health board, within the mainland boards the highest level is found in Glasgow and Lanarkshire (3.0per cent) and the lowest in NHS Borders (2.4 per cent).
"Higher positivity is found in more deprived postcodes, and this influences regional variation."
Health chiefs have now urged locals to respond to the tests in a bid to stop the disease before it becomes too severe.
Celia Briffa-Watt, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health, told Lanarkshire Live: "The earlier we detect cancer, the better the chance of treating it successfully. That's why it's vitally important that all those eligible for the bowel, cervical and breast screening programmes, take the opportunity to be screened every time they are invited.
"We know that there is a lower uptake in areas of deprivation but we would urge anyone who receives a kit to take the test. It only takes minutes and could save a life. All men and women between the ages of 50 and 74 are eligible for bowel screening. Bowel screening involves taking a simple test at home every two years and doesn't require a visit to your GP.
"The Scottish bowel screening programme was paused in March 2020 and while invitations have been resumed, the invitation and kits are now being sent approximately six months later than previous invitations. We are encouraging people who have been sent a kit to do the test immediately."
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey has also asked locals to be aware of the tests.
She said: "You are 14 times more likely to survive bowel cancer if it's found early.
"Although half a million people in Scotland undergo a bowel screening test each year, these statistics show many are not taking up the offer – particularly men and those from the most deprived areas. It is concerning that NHS Lanarkshire has one of the lowest uptake rates.
"As part of steps taken to recover cancer services, a priority must be given to increasing local uptake numbers and reducing the inequality gap.
"I support action by the Scottish Government to invest in detecting cancer early as well as in continuing their cancer inequalities screening programme, to encourage those who are eligible to take up their invite."
If anyone has received a kit but not done the test and it's now out of date please request a replacement kit by contacting the Scottish Bowel Screening centre by phone on 0800 0121 833, by textphone on 18001 0800 0121 833 or by email at TAY.scottishbowelscreening@nhs.scot.
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