Level of women asking GP about possible cancer symptoms falls below men

Fewer women than men would now contact their GP practice if they noticed a possible sign of cancer, according to new analysis.

Research for the Scottish Government’s Be The Early Bird campaign found that 57% of women surveyed in 2025 strongly agree they would contact their doctor if they noticed a possible sign of cancer, compared with 65% of men who said the same.

This is a change on the position in 2018 when 75% of women strongly agreed they would seek advice if they noticed a possible symptom, while the proportion of men was the same at 65%.

Authorities are now urging women to take action if they notice any unusual or persistent changes in their bodies and not to delay contacting their GP practice if something does not feel right.

Dr Punam Krishan, a GP, said: “We know how busy life gets, and all too often, your own health slips to the bottom of your to-do list.

“But if you notice something that isn’t normal for you, and is persistent, please contact your GP practice rather than searching online; we would always want to hear from you.”

The Be The Early Bird campaign also highlights the importance of screening and urges women not to let appointments slip.

Medical experts said attending a screening remains one of the most effective ways to find cancer earlier, even for those without symptoms.

Lesley Osborne, 66, of Biggar in South Lanarkshire, was diagnosed with breast cancer twice, and is urging people not to put off seeking advice.

She said: “In 2013 I found a lump in my breast, it was an unusual rectangular shape, and I was initially hesitant to go and get it checked out. I was persuaded by a friend to just go and get it seen to; it hadn’t crossed my mind that it might be cancer.

“I went to my GP practice, then was referred to the hospital for further tests and just a few days later, it was confirmed that I had breast cancer.

“The tumour hadn’t spread and because it had been detected early, I was able to undergo successful treatment and have it removed.”

Seven years later, a routine screening invitation led to a second breast cancer diagnosis, although she had not noticed any symptoms.

The cancer had spread to a lymph node this time, however, it was still at an early stage and she is now cancer-free following successful treatment and was discharged from the breast clinic in May 2026.

The 66-year-old said: “I’m so grateful for the screening appointment. With the absence of symptoms I wasn’t aware that there was a tumour in my other breast, and it had spread to my lymph nodes.

“Thanks to early detection on both occasions, now here I am, I’m loving my life, more so now than I did in my 30s and 40s.

“Face your fear, and once you’re through that bit, it’s about following the guidance of the medical staff, and getting on with it. Stop putting it off.”

STV journalist and Be The Early Bird campaign ambassador Laura Boyd is also urging people to seek advice if something does not feel right.

She was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia after feeling unwell in 2009 but says that 17 years on she is “living my best life”.

She said: “It changed my life forever, but I have been living with cancer since. And although it was terrifying at the time, I got on a treatment plan. I was taken care of, and here I am, 17 years later, still living with cancer, but living my best life.

“A bit of a cliche, but living really well, thanks to going to that doctor, taking that first step, and getting that treatment.

“It was daunting, but I’m proof that it can work. So if anybody out there is hesitant about going to their doctor, I totally understand why. But just do it. It’s so, so important.”

The figures come from research involving around 500 adults aged 40 and over who were questioned in autumn last year, while the research carried out in 2018 had a sample size of around 630 people in their 40s upwards.

The Be The Early Bird campaign encourages people, especially those over 40, to contact their GP practice if they notice any persistent symptoms, such as unusual bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or a new lump.

To use the symptom checker and find out more about national cancer screening programmes, visit www.getcheckedearly.org