Cancer rates up in Scotland

More Scots are being diagnosed with cancer than ever before, according to the latest statistics from the Scottish Government.

The Information Services Division showed that in 2014, 31,711 people in Scotland were diagnosed with cancer. Ten years ago the figure was 27,820.

The increase has been mainly down to people living longer, with 70 per cent of the figure being people over 60.

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However even after age adjustment the incidence rate for women has increased by six per cent.

More women than men had cancer in Scotland in 2014, with 6,183 females compared to 15,528 males.

Lung cancer remains the most common kind of cancer experienced in Scotland.

 Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said the earlier cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat.

“Like the rest of the UK, the number of people being diagnosed with cancer is increasing in Scotland due to people living longer. However it’s important to note that more and more people are also surviving cancer for longer – with cancer mortality rates down 11 per cent over the past decade,” she said.

“We are improving our ability to detect cancer and to treat it successfully but we can always do more.

“Earlier this year the Scottish Government launched its £100 million Cancer Strategy which aims to improve the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of those affected by the disease.”