Government must do more
outlining how and where they would like to be cared for at the end of life.
“It’s also clear from last week’s Audit Scotland report that mortality rates from cancer in Scotland are higher than the rest of the UK – and much higher in deprived communities. It’s vital that work is done to understand and tackle this.”
The figures issued yesterday by Holyrood’s information services division follow Macmillan’s own research, which found that people in deprived areas faced up to a 98 per cent increased risk of dying from six of the most common cancers.
That report, Deprivation and Cancer Survival in Scotland, identified key factors behind the increased risk of death and said it was “completely unacceptable” that someone’s chances of surviving cancer could be predicted by their postcode.
The report found that factors including more advanced cancer, lower rates of screening uptake and lower rates of treatment all played a part in the increased cancer death risk facing those in deprived communities.
Cancer Research UK’s Gregor McNie said: “Thanks to research and the treatments now available, more people than ever will survive.
“But there is still so much to be done. While more people are surviving the disease, there are still a large number of people dying from cancer.
“The older people are, the higher their risk of cancer. With a growing population and as people live longer, more and more are likely to be diagnosed with the disease.
“Cancer must remain an urgent priority for the NHS. An early diagnosis followed by speedy treatment is key to improving a patient’s chances of beating the disease.”
Health Secretary Shona Robison said it was encouraging to see that deaths JAMIE Mirrlees lives in one of Scotland’s most deprived areas and lost half his face to cancer after being told for four years he had a blocked tear duct.
The 46-year-old dad of two is unrecognisable as the former window cleaner who worked hard to provide for his family.
When his tumour was finally discovered, it required drastic surgery to prevent its growth.
He lost his eye, half his nose, a large part of his cheek and most of his teeth and was left with gaping holes in his face and neck. Two years later, he still has regular appointments for reconstructive surgery. One of the reasons more
people in poorer areas die from cancer is that more of them aren’t diagnosed until it is at a later stage.
Jamie, from Paisley, said yesterday: “If my cancer had been picked up earlier, I might still have my face and my eye.
“At first I was just glad to still be here because without the operation, I wouldn’t have lasted until Christmas.
“The surgeon and his team were brilliant but now I feel angry it wasn’t spotted earlier.”
Yesterday’s figures showed Jamie had a greater chance of getting cancer and dying than someone in a richer area.
The disease has also hit other members of his family, with an from cancer have fallen – but she pledged to do more.
She said: “Our £100million Cancer Strategy aims to see more people survive and reduce health inequalities.
“We are taking action to increase awareness of screening in deprived areas where we know uptake of services can be lower, while our Detect Cancer Early Programme is targeted to those living in the most deprived areas.
“I recently announced a performance delivery group to improve waiting times for cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as additional funding of £1million to roll out new technology to allow consultants to report on diagnostic scans taken anywhere in the country.
“This is in addition to a £4.85million investment in 2017 to support improvement in diagnostic scopes and imaging capacity for suspected cancer patients.” aunt and uncle in Drumchapel – another deprived area – dying within a week of each other.
Jamie said: “The Government should be doing more to help so cancer can be detected earlier in areas like this.”
A spokesman for MacMillan Cancer Support said: “Not only are those in deprived area more likely to get cancer, they’re also likely to be hit by the financial impact of the illness.
“Macmillan’s research shows 80 per cent of cancer patients in Scotland are £420 a month worse off after diagnosis.
“That’s why Macmillan have invested so much in our benefits services and support services, particularly in deprived areas.”
Too often, people are missing out on the right support TRISHA HATT, MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT