Cunninghame North's MSP has added his voice to calls for more to be done to tackle uncommon cancers.

During Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month, Kenneth Gibson met with national bone and soft tissue cancer charity Sarcoma UK.

The charity works on behalf of children, teenagers and young adults diagnosed with sarcomas, which are uncommon cancers that can affect any part of the body.

There are many different types of sarcoma but they can all be grouped into soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas.

In Scotland, 32 young people are diagnosed with sarcoma every year, which have a 15 per cent lower survival rate than the average for cancers affecting this age range.

Also attending the event was Beth Keller, who was aged 22 when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

Beth finished her treatment less than a month ago and bravely spoke about her experiences.

The SNP MSP said: “More needs to be done to support young people and improve their experience through specialised services and research.

“It’s great to see Sarcoma UK raising awareness about sarcoma and its symptoms, while funding vital research into better treatments and supporting patients and loved ones through their Support Line.”

Dr Sorrel Bickley, director of research, policy and support at Sarcoma UK, said: “We welcome the support of Kenneth Gibson MSP in boosting awareness and putting sarcoma on Scotland’s agenda.”

Information on signs and symptoms, support, and how Sarcoma UK is funding vital research and campaigning for better treatments, is available at www.sarcoma.org.uk.