Scottish cancer survival gap widens

A “completely unacceptable” cancer survival gap is growing between people living in the most and least deprived parts of Scotland, a charity has warned.

Macmillan Cancer Support said there needs to be a major step up in cancer screening in deprived areas.

The charity and the Information Services Division (ISD) carried out what it described as the most comprehensive analysis ever of the “cancer survival gap” for six of the most common cancers.

Prostate cancer patients faced the biggest survival gap, with a 98% increased death risk.

Breast cancer patients from deprived areas had an increased risk of death of 89%, while it was 61% for head and neck cancer patients.

Colorectal patients in deprived areas had a 45% increased risk of death and liver cancer patients a 28% increased risk.

Lung cancer patients faced poor outcomes regardless of their socioeconomic status.

The study examined the survival rate of patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2008 and followed them for five years up.

Janice Preston, head of Macmillan in Scotland, said: “It’s completely unacceptable that someone’s chances of surviving cancer could be predicted by their postcode.”

A Government spokesman said: “While cancer mortality rates have reduced by 11% over the past 10 years, we recognise the need to tackle the variations between our least and most deprived communities.”