Cancer killing more people in poor areas

CANCER death rates in Scotland’s most deprived areas are 61 per cent higher than in the wealthiest areas.

Figures show mortality rates from the disease have dropped by 11 per cent in the last ten years.

But death rates are almost two thirds higher in deprived areas.

In 2016, 15,814 people died from cancer in Scotland. Lung cancer was the most common cause of death, accounting for a quarter of fatalities.

Over the decade to 2016, the lung cancer death rate fell by 23 per cent for men and 6 per cent for women.

Breast cancer deaths have decreased by 17 per cent, while for men the prostate cancer death rate fell by 7 per cent. However, deaths from liver cancer have increased by 55 per cent, due to alcohol abuse and infection with hepatitis B and C.

The death rate for cancer of the womb has also increased by 71 per cent.

The NHS Information Services Division report also shows cases of cancer are 27 per cent higher in the poorest areas compared to the wealthiest, while death rates are 61 per cent higher.

Cancer charities have hit out at NHS waiting times in recent months, as they are now worse than they were a decade ago.

Just 86.9 per cent of patients began treatment within two months of being referred between April to June 2017, compared to 87.3 per cent in the same period in 2007.

Gregor McNie, Cancer Research UK’s senior public affairs manager in Scotland, said: ‘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.’

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs said: ‘It is a shocking indictment on the health inequalities which continue to exist that death rates from cancer are so much higher in the most deprived communities.’

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: ‘Our £100million Cancer Strategy aims to see more people survive cancer and reduce cancer health inequalities.’