Cancer Research UK’s choice of Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for its first Scottish research centre is a timely reward for the pioneering work taking place in the city in the hunt to find a cure for this killer disease.
Bowel cancer is one of the main killers of Scots men and women today.
Incredible as it may seem, more Scots per head of population die compared to their counterparts south of the border. In cold numbers it means 1600 deaths every year. Many of these deaths are avoidable if the symptoms are detected early enough.
Not only are Englishmen and women more likely to take part in screening programmes, but they are also more likely to report a problem early to their GP, which greatly increases the chance of survival.
Sadly, Scots think they know better. To illustrate the size of the problem north of the border, only 57% of those contacted bothered to take part in life-saving screening programmes.
Why should this be? Perhaps the English are less embarrassed by their body and its functions.
Perhaps they are more inclined to bully each other into taking the test.
Whatever the reason, they are living longer because of it. — Take The Test.
Don’t judge until flats are finished
As someone who passes the ongoing Parker Street Student Village development in Abertay on a regular basis, I feel the only fair way in which to judge the merits or demerits of it will be when it has been completed.
That said, the development has been a vote of confidence in Dundee when projects in other cities are facing delays or being put on hold.
It has been good for the construction industry and a thumbs up for Abertay University as it builds on its successes in the all-important games and media industries.
I hope thought has gone into utilising the empty flats over the summer months when the students go home. It would be daft to think this village would be left lying empty for several months when it could be filled by tour companies and conference delegates, as well as helping out when Dundee enjoys a rise in visitor numbers when the V & A museum opens in 2014. — S.M.T.
Hilltown suffering
I have lived in Hilltown for 25 years and I’m deeply saddened by the recent cuts in local services, such as closure of the Highwayman, withdrawal of some funds to Grey Lodge and Rosebank School, and reduction of opening times at Coldside Library.
According to the council, Hilltown is a deprived area. It seems incredible that this is happening in one of the poorest areas in the city.
The heart is being ripped from Hilltown. Everywhere you look there is poverty. I only hope the demolition work going on in the area will lead to better things.
I believe huge savings could be made revamping and pruning the management structure of Dundee City Council rather than hitting charities and local organisations. If any industry was run like this, they would be shut down.
If we are dissatisfied with a councillor, MP or MSP, we can vote them out. But what course of action do we have to keep a check on this ever-growing array of civil servants? — Full Council Tax Payer.
Arctic weather
The front page of the Tele, January 8, 2010, was about Arctic weather. On January 8, 1982 (also a Friday) the front page in the Tele was ‘Dundee’s cold record could come tonight.’ The previous night, the temperature, at nearby Leuchars, plummeted to -13.7 C, the second coldest recorded there. — Weather Watcher, Dundee.
Great service
A. S. Optometrists in Monifieth must be praised for very efficient and polite service. I had my eyes tested to get two pairs of spectacles and I received a telephone call the next day to say I could collect my glasses. Well done. — B. C., Monifieth.
Why do young get less?
I don’t know why people under a certain age get less Jobseekers’ Allowance and less housing benefit, even if they earn less than their older counterparts. Is this ageism being overlooked? I would love someone to shed some light on this. — Samuel Dalton, Mitchell Street, Dundee.
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