Cancer incidence and mortality rates in deprived areas ‘unacceptable’

Official government statistics have shown that over 15,000 Scots died from cancer last year. While they show that cancer death rates have decreased over the last decade, skin cancer mortality rates are at a 26 year high. This in addition to female lung cancer death rates having risen by over 11%.

The statistics also showed a worrying discrepancy in survival rates between the most deprived and least deprived areas. In deprived areas the cancer incidence rate was 34% higher while mortality rates were 79% higher.

Scottish Conservative Health Spokesman, Murdo Fraser MSP said:

"The Scottish Government must take immediate action to ensure that the quality of care received for cancer patients in diagnosis and treatment is of the highest standard across the whole of Scotland. It is simply unacceptable that incidence rates should be up to a third higher in deprived areas, or that mortality rates should be nearly 80% higher.

"Although the overall drop in cancer deaths is welcome news, these statistics show that there are still areas where we need to work harder. That skin cancer mortality rates are at a twenty-six year high proves that we must do more to educate Scots about its dangers and how to diagnose it at an early stage as so they can seek treatment.

"The startling rise in mortality rates in woman diagnosed with lung cancer is also a grave concern, especially when male mortality rates have fallen.

"Scottish Conservatives have pushed for a £10m Cancer Drugs Fund to help provide the same level of cancer treatment in Scotland that is available south of the border. When cancer claims the lives of so many Scots every year it is imperative that we do everything within our power to assist cancer sufferers."

The statistics can be found here: http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics//Cancer/Publications/index.asp#630

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