Editorial

Annie S. Anderson and Bob Steele

Time flies….ten years on
We launched the SCPN ten years ago in January 2010 with an 8 page black and white newsletter and a passion for change. Ten years later with a lot of fun and hard work from colleagues, friends, family (and pets!) we have produced a portfolio of novel activities that have engaged with thousands of people in Scotland and beyond. We have worked to raise awareness about reducing cancer risk, the importance of detecting cancer early and supported action for policy changes and stacking the odds against cancer occurrence and recurrence. As 2019 draws to an end, this last issue of the newsletter celebrates, recalls and shows off some of the best.

The newsletters changed to colour format in 2012, increased to 12 pages, then to 16 pages in 2017 and earlier this year to 20 pages. In 2020 we will change to an e-digest which will fly through your electronic mailboxes at regular intervals. We have covered many information and misinformation issues, we have asked the experts, we have interviewed cancer champions, we have included favourite recipes, we have given you quizzes, competitions and kettlecise. We have promoted good practice and research and we have moved into public communications with the launch of our magazine for use in breast clinics and our Men’s Health publication currently being trialled in NHS abdominal aortic aneurysm screening clinics. Between newsletters there has been the annual conference, social media (@ thescpn), blogs, development of SCPN resources, the art and design prize, the student bursary and more. We have responded to government consultations and given evidence to the Health and Sport committee and we have been to Ireland to help support the development of the Irish Government’s Irish Cancer Prevention Network.

Our activities are supported by our parent charity The Scottish Cancer Foundation but in kind by hundreds of others from all sectors as well as individuals who have brought their creative energy to produce our vibrant and lively network. Special thanks to our designers Eoin McCann and Connor Finlayson, Laura Patton from CharityWorks, the home team (including Jill, Maureen, Lauryn, Sarah, and Karen) and the many staff and students who were passing through Dundee and joined our efforts to promote a healthier Scotland over the last 10 years.

Thank you!

So many people have helped advise, guide and direct the SCPN newsletter over the years and special thanks are due to all our advisory group members past and present including: Elspeth Banks, Nicola Barnstaple, Christine Campbell, Bryan Christie, Alison Douglas, Andrew Fraser, Elizabeth McLennan, Gregor McNie, Susan Moug, Gozde Ozakinci, Neil Hamlet, Debbie Proven, Mary Allison, Vicky Crichton, Eluned Hughes, Eddie Coyle, James Jopling, David Linden, Paul Ballard and Gill Hubbard.

We would also like to thank our regular contributors to the newsletter including: Heather Pearce, Tery Slevin, Ann Gates, Lorraine Tulloch, Alison Douglas, Kellie Anderson, Shelia Duffy, Giota Mitrou, and Amy Hickman.

Without the support of all of these groups the SCPN newsletter would not have been possible.