We’ve worst women’s cancer rate in world

SCOTTISH women are more likely to develop a ‘forgotten’ cancer associated with unhealthy lifestyles than anywhere else in the world.

Around four Scots women a week are diagnosed with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which is linked to factors such as smoking, alcohol and deprivation.

Around 520 Scots are diagnosed every year – roughly 312 men and 208 women. A study found Scotland had the highest incidence in women of all 20 countries across Europe, North America, Australia and Asia investigated.

Russell Petty, Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Dundee’s School of Medicine, said cases of the disease in Tayside had doubled over 30 years.

He has been awarded £300,000 from the Scottish Government to investigate how to reduce the number of patients who become resistant to treatment.

OSCC kills 60 per cent of patients within a year of them being diagnosed.

Professor Petty said: ‘The fact that the incidence of OSCC in Scottish women is the highest in the world is an important national health statistic and yet one which has attracted little or no attention. It really is Scotland’s forgotten cancer.’

Professor Petty’s preliminary research suggests drug resistance in OSCC can be overcome by a targeted cancer medicine already in clinical trials for other cancers. His team will establish whether this can pave the way for clinical trials in OSCC.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We were delighted to provide £300,000 to Professor Petty’s research, which could lead to innovative new treatments for a tumour that is currently difficult to treat.

‘In addition, our £100million cancer strategy is investing in a wide range of actions to improve survival.’