A lung cancer survivor has been praised in the Scottish Parliament for her efforts to improve detection rates.
In a Scottish Parliament motion, MSP Paul O’Kane praised Liz Couser, from Johnstone, who has campaigned to raise awareness of the disease following her own lung cancer diagnosis and recovery.
Liz, who is now cancer-free, has credited early detection as the reason for her positive outcome.
She is using her experience to call for national improvements to diagnosis and care and continues to campaign for wider access to screening so that more people can benefit from early intervention.
Her story first came to Mr O’Kane’s attention during one of his MSP street surgeries in Johnstone.
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Mr O’Kane said: "I was blown away by Liz’s story and the sheer determination she has to ensure that other people benefit from early detection and get the same quality of treatment that she did.
"Her response to her own health battle – using the most difficult, personal situation as a motivation to improve conditions for others – is truly inspiring.
"Liz is rightly calling for improvements to lung cancer detection and treatment across the country, and I’ll be glad to amplify her voice in the Scottish Parliament."
Liz has raised funds for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and is calling for enhanced early screening to improve patient outcomes across Scotland.
In November, she completed a walk along the length of the Forth and Clyde Canal to raise funds for the foundation, which supported her throughout treatment and recovery.
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Liz said: "It was a pleasure to be able to meet Paul and thank him personally for raising the motion in the Scottish Parliament.
"I am hopeful that the excellent and fast treatment I had for lung cancer due to early detection will be made available to thousands more Scots far earlier than the Scottish government is currently planning.
"I’m currently cancer-free because my cancer was caught so early.
"Had I waited until I displayed symptoms, the outlook could have been very bleak.
"I’m very grateful that Paul has been so supportive of my efforts, both to fundraise and to bring awareness to the need for the Scottish government to roll out early lung cancer screening and save lives.
"The recognition through the motion is much appreciated."
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