The discussion document, ‘Better Cancer Care’, will be used to shape Scotland’s future cancer strategy and the cancer action plan that will be published this summer. 

Launching the document Sturgeon said that cancer is a “national clinical priority” for the Scottish Government. 

She continued: "Our discussion document includes many questions about specific issues and an open invitation for everyone to provide views and ideas about any aspect of cancer care. 

"It builds on existing achievements by setting out a range of broad action areas to be addressed and putting a new focus on options to improve cancer waiting times.  

"I have made it clear that I expect NHS Boards to deliver a maximum 62 day wait from urgent referral for all cancer types and I am pleased that current data on these waiting times is very encouraging. 

"However I want patients to tell me how they find the current experience, and what they feel are reasonable waiting times. It's important we develop a strategy that will meet the needs of those affected by cancer for years to come." 

Jackson Carlaw MSP, Shadow Minister for Public Health, welcomed the consultation and said he hopes it can be used to encourage men in particular to take a greater interest in their own health.

He said: “Lives have been saved by well organised and sustained campaigns over many years by women on behalf of women. And quite right too – all involved in such campaigns are to be congratulated. But where are the men who are prepared to champion their cause?

“Men are dying because they have failed to get organised in anything like the way women have over the health issues that are most pressing for them.  They are recklessly disengaged from the whole debate about their own health.

“I hope today’s consultation - combined with yesterday’s encouraging news of a potential breakthrough for the detection of prostate cancer - will help to bring this deeply regrettable situation to an end.”

Better Cancer Care - A Discussion, is available here