Sir Alex Ferguson to launch lung cancer campaign

Former Aberdeen and Manchester United manager Sir Alex, who lost both of his parents to lung cancer, has agreed to play his part in the Scottish Government's £30million Detect Cancer Early drive.

Health Secretary Alex Neil teamed up with football legend Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday to launch a campaign aimed at reducing lung cancer deaths in Scotland.

The former Aberdeen and Manchester United manager has agreed to play his part in the Scottish Government’s £30million Detect Cancer Early drive.


Sir Alex – who spoke exclusively to the Record yesterday about the “devastating impact” of losing his parents to lung cancer – will play a starring role in their advertising and leaflet campaign.
Neil said: “It’s great to have such a recognisable face to front the campaign.

“I’m sure Sir Alex’s story will help encourage people to get checked early.”

Sir Alex lost his dad, Alexander, at 66 in 1979 and his mum Elizabeth, 64, to the disease in 1986.
He told the Record yesterday: “I remember being told my parents had lung cancer. It’s one of the scariest things you will ever hear.

“But things are different now. These days, lung cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Finding it early could save your life and give you extra time to spend with your family.”

Neil met cancer survivors and charities yesterday at Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre in Edinburgh.
Lung cancer is the most common tumour and kills more than 4000 Scots every year. About 5000 are diagnosed with the disease.

Neil added: “We’ve made strides to tackle the disease but lung cancer is still the most common cancer.
“By increasing the proportion of Scots diagnosed in the first stage of cancer by 25 per cent by 2015, we can improve survival rates.”

He hailed victims such as Jenny Chapman – who was also featured in the Record – as an inspiration.
Twelve years ago, mum-of-two Jenny, 55, from Aberdeen, was told she had six months to live after being diagnosed with lung cancer which spread to her brain.

But she stunned medical specialists with her determination to survive.

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