Cabinet Secretary for Health Nicola Sturgeon today welcomed an improvement in cancer survival rates, but warned against complacency.
Sturgeon said that if cancer was identified early, treatment could be delivered quickly and long term survival improved.
"Cancer treatment in Scotland is as good as anywhere in the world - with new drugs and state-of-the-art radiotherapy equipment in all of our cancer centres.
"The Scottish Government is on track to achieve our target of reducing premature cancer deaths by 20 per cent by 2010.
"However, we know there is still more to be done to make sure Scots have the best possible chances of long-term survival following a cancer diagnosis.
"Early diagnosis and treatment can mean the difference between life and death. That is why cancer screening programmes and carrying out self-checks are so vital."
The five-year survival rate from breast cancer is now 84 per cent. Sturgeon said that better screening for bowel cancer should also save lives.
"Bowel cancer is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths in the UK, but if picked up early enough, it can be very treatable, which is why we are committed to rolling out the UK's most comprehensive bowel screening programme across NHS board areas. Evidence shows this will save around 150 lives every year.
"I take the opportunity to urge all Scots to care about their health and if they are concerned to contact their GP for advice and to take advantage of the invitations for screening.
"I would especially encourage young women to attend for cervical screening as I am concerned that the uptake rate is slow. This is in contrast with the breast screening programme, where the uptake rate is increasing."
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