Cancer diagnosis rates rise but miss target

The number of patients given a cancer diagnosis at the earliest stage has increased but remains below standard, according to new figures.

Cancer charities said the stage of diagnosis was crucial as early detection and treatment are key to improving survival rates.

About a quarter (25.5 per cent) of patients with the three most common cancers – breast, lung and colorectal – were diagnosed at stage one in 2015 and 2016, a 9.2 per cent increase in detection rate from 2010 and 2011.

However, this is below the required standard of a 25 per cent increase.

The Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early campaign set a target to improve detec- 0 Alex Cole-hamilton has criticised the latest figures tion rates for the three cancers by 25 per cent by the end of 2015 but missed this target last year as the increase was 8 per cent.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Alex Cole-hamilton said: “This is yet another cancer target that has been missed by this SNP government.”