Two brave women have told how they had to spend their life savings to fund private surgery for ovarian cancer because of a “postcode lottery” for treatment in Scotland.
It comes as a leading charity slammed the NHS in Scotland for failings in the fight against what has been dubbed the “silent killer”.
They have now called on John Swinney to take action after highlight the different levels of care across the country, with patients living in the west of Scotland worst affected.
In an open letter to the SNP leader the women asked: “Do our lives not matter?”.
Margaret McCaul, 52, from North Lanarkshire was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer in 2022. She had to spend £30,000 to fund the surgery.
Without it she faced more rounds of chemotherapy while the cancer progressed as she sat on a 12-week waiting list.
She said: “Despite meeting with the Minister of Women’s and Public Health and other MSPs to demand an end to inequality in care across Scotland, no significant change has happened.
“Women in Scotland are being failed because treatment remains largely inaccessible yet is accessible across the border.
“This makes me angry and fearful for women who are at risk of ovarian cancer, and those of us who may have a recurrence.
“Access to treatment must be fair, no matter where you live.”
Irene Hartshorn, 70, from Ayr, spent £40,000 on private surgery in London after she was diagnosed in December 2022.
Her symptoms were so advanced, she looked eight months pregnant and could barely walk. Despite this, she was told she faced a 12-week wait for surgery.
She said: “I was told it would be at least 12 weeks until I would be able to have surgery. This was another blow after waiting so long for the correct diagnosis and any treatment plan to be put in place.
“By this point, I could hardly walk unaided, had lost at least two stone and psychologically I felt there was no hope as the health service was telling me I couldn’t access the treatment I needed. I felt like my hands were tied.
“I went against my principles by going private, and had to ask friends and family to help. If I didn’t, I felt I would be well and truly dead in a short time. I was in limbo, disregarded and was left traumatised.”
Irene’s ovarian cancer has since returned, and she fears patients are running out of time.
She added: “At the moment I am in a waiting game as the cancer has returned twice now. It’s not acceptable and change needs to happen fast, I’m afraid that we’re running out of time.
“There needs to be a joined up approach so that every patient feels they are supported and cared for, not left in a whirlpool ready to be swallowed up.”
Almost half of women battling ovarian cancer in Scotland are believed to be facing life-threatening waits for surgery.
Patients like Irene and Margaret have been forced to spend their savings to fund private surgery in England to save their own lives.
Around 600 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year in Scotland where survival rates among the worst in Europe.
New data released by the charity found 44 per cent of respondents had experienced a delay in receiving surgery, of which 22 per cent reported waiting eight weeks or more.
Almost one in five reported paying privately for some part of their diagnosis or treatment to save their lives.
Margaret and Irene’s heartfelt letter to the First Minister, which was penned alongside three other women who have all had to pay privately for surgery in England, has so far received over 1,500 signatures of support. They women are being backed by Target Ovarian Cancer.
In the letter the women state they want to end the ‘postcode lottery’ across the country. It states: “We want to ensure that no matter where you live in Scotland the system works and everyone diagnosed can access the best possible treatment, targeted to their needs.”
Head of Policy and Campaigns at Target Ovarian Cancer, Rachel Downing, said: “Everyone, no matter where they live, should be able to access the treatment they need when they need it. No one should have to deal with the uncertainty, distress and failure that these women in the West of Scotland have experienced.
“An urgent review into the provision of surgery could alleviate the delays women are facing. We want to see the cancer networks working together, so women can get the treatment they deserve.”
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Ovarian cancer remains a priority for the Scottish Government and the NHS and we continue to support progress in improving care for patients.
“Scheduling surgery for ovarian cancer can be challenging as it involves several medical specialties. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are simplifying scheduling, increasing dedicated theatre capacity and improve working and training across surgical teams. This has already and will continue to reduce waiting lists.”
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