COMMENT

Around 250 cases of cancer a week could be avoided in Scotland through lifestyle changes, according to new figures from a leading charity.

Cancer Research UK said this amounts to 41 per cent of all cancers diagnosed north of the Border, which equates to around 13,000 cases each year – the highest proportion of preventable cases compared to other UK nations.

Across the UK, the landmark study found that more than 135,000 cases of cancer a year could be prevented.

The latest figures, calculated from 2015 data, found that smoking remains the biggest preventable cause of cancer in Scotland, despite the continued decline in smoking rates.

Tobacco smoke caused around 3,200 cases of cancer in men (21 per cent of all male cancer cases) and around 2,500 (16 per cent) in women in 2015, according to the research published in the British Journal of Cancer.

Excess weight is Scotland’s biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking. Around 2,200 (7 per cent) cases of cancer a year in Scotland – around six a day – are down to being overweight or obese. This amounts to around 1,200 (8 per cent) cases of cancer in women and around 910 (6 per cent) in men.

“As part of its obesity strategy, the Scottish Government must tackle what is the biggest preventable health crisis of our generation”

PROF LINDA BAULD