​Rosa Macpherson successfully fought cancer, but her husband succumbed. Here she tells why she's backing Cancer Research UK's latest campaign and why she's urging politicians to do their bit.

When I was stood out in the drizzling rain urging people to support Cancer Research UK’s Scotland Vs Cancer campaign recently, I was humbled by the response we received.

The charity’s ask was simple – put a Saltire sticker on one of the 6ft high letters spelling out the word ‘cancer’ if you believe patients should have speedier access to cancer tests.

It’s an important ask. I should know.

It’s thanks to early diagnosis that the uterine cancer I was diagnosed with was treated quickly and why I believe I survived.

My husband George wasn’t so lucky and the lymphoma he had wasn’t picked up until it had advanced and so we lost him in 2004 when he was just aged 57.

I miss him very much. And now that I have a seven-month-old granddaughter, Kasia, I can’t help thinking how much George would have loved spending time with her and sharing in the joy of having a grandchild.

I share my story publically so that people realise that when cancer issues are being kicked around like the proverbial political football, what results concerns real people and real families.

For me, making sure that patients have the best treatment available in the quickest time possible is a life or death issue. It’s the reason I write to MSPs as a Cancer Research UK Ambassador. And it’s why I am urging the support of all prospective parliamentary candidates.

At the moment, while incidence of cancer is on the increase, survival is also improving. I am passionate about Cancer Research UK’s ambition to see cancer survival increase from two in four today to three in four by 2034.

I really feel that much more needs to be done to improve early diagnosis. That’s why I’m backing Cancer Research UK’s Scotland vs Cancer campaign and urging everyone to join me and help me make a difference.

To find out more about Scotland vs Cancer visit here.

Rosa Macpherson is a volunteer with Cancer Research UK.