This Scottish election, will you join our campaign and ask political parties to make myeloma a priority?
Today, 17 people across the UK will be told they have the incurable blood cancer myeloma. All too often, it’s mistaken for other conditions and left to progress untreated causing irreparable harm.
Far too many people with myeloma are harmed by delays in diagnosis, and struggle to access the treatments they need. This election, we have an opportunity to call on politicians to act and make myeloma a priority.
We are calling on all political parties to support our pledges and to be part of the progress we need to make, because people with myeloma can’t wait.
We’re calling for:
An end to delays in diagnosis
Equal access to treatments
More detail on our pledges can be found further down this page.
The time for action is now, add your name to our petition. Following the election, we will deliver this petition to each of the political parties elected to the new parliament. We know that when our community acts together, we increase the pace of change for people affected by myeloma.
In England, we’ve already had success, with the government committing to act on myeloma. With a new measure to reduce the number of blood cancers diagnosed in A&E. And a commitment to track progress in diagnosing blood, brain and other rare cancers.
People with myeloma in Scotland can’t wait any longer.
Together, we are the cure.
Join our campaign and we will get there sooner.
We’re asking all political parties in Scotland to commit to:
1. Ending delays in diagnosis
Myeloma has one of the longest diagnosis times of any cancer. Right now, one in three people with myeloma are diagnosed through an emergency route. That can mean their cancer has progressed, and treatment options are more limited
In 2023, the Scottish Government 10‑year cancer strategy committed to setting a new target to reduce emergency blood cancer diagnoses. But this target has still not been introduced.
We’re calling on all political parties to commit to changing this.
We need the next government to:
- Deliver the promised target so progress on earlier diagnosis can be tracked and acted on.
- Invest in real improvements to diagnosis, including better GP education, clearer diagnostic pathways and faster access to tests.
- Raise public awareness of the signs and symptoms of myeloma so people get help sooner.
2. Deliver equal access to innovative and kinder treatments
Myeloma may be incurable, but thanks to extraordinary advances in treatment, people are living longer, and with a better quality of life, than ever before.
But right now, access to the newest treatments, and to clinical trials, can vary across Scotland. This means people often have to travel long distances to receive the treatments that could keep their cancer at bay. Adding emotional and financial burdens at an already overwhelming time.
We’re calling on all political parties to commit to ending this postcode lottery.
The next government must ensure:
- Equal access to the latest myeloma treatments for everyone regardless of their location and where they are in their myeloma journey.
- Investment in clinical trials so that all eligible patients can take part, regardless of where they live, and a commitment to tackling the barriers to clinical trial participation.
- Ensuring that hospitals are fully funded, equipped and staffed so that people can access treatments as soon as they are approved.