Cancer deaths reach 20-year high

Oct 30 2012

Cancer deaths have reached their highest number in almost 20 years, despite a fall in mortality rates for the disease.

Official figures show that overall cancer death rates have fallen 12% over the last 10 years.

The total number of deaths rose to 15,375 in 2011, the highest total since 1993. This is linked to Scotland's ageing population, as cancer is a relatively common condition amongst older people.

But in the most deprived areas, the overall cancer death rate is 76% higher than that of the most affluent areas.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said he is "determined to do more to meet the challenge of rising cancer rates, including that posed by the ageing population".

A total of 4,178 deaths last year were from lung cancer, more than any other form of the disease. Colorectal cancers killed 1,526 people in 2011, with 1,041 breast cancer deaths and 900 prostate cancer deaths.

Mr Neil said: "One in three people will develop cancer during their life but as today's statistics show, earlier diagnosis and better treatment mean that the mortality rates are falling.

"Cancer remains a top health priority for both the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland. We have been making good progress in cancer treatment during the last two decades. Screening for breast, bowel and cervical cancers have been introduced, and cancer is being diagnosed and treated earlier thanks to advances in treatments and investment in staff and equipment.

"However, we are determined to do more to meet the challenge of rising cancer rates, including that posed by the ageing population and, in particular, take more action to improve cancer survival. That's why we have placed a new emphasis on diagnosing and detecting cancer earlier through our Detect Cancer Early programme which aims increase the proportion of Scots diagnosed in the earliest stages of cancer by 25%."

Vicky Crichton, public affairs manager for Cancer Research UK in Scotland, said the fall in cancer death rates is encouraging. She said: "This means, as individuals, our risk of dying from the disease has fallen. Fewer people are smoking which has made a huge difference, and we're better at diagnosing cancers earlier and also better at treating them with surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy."