This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Cancer survival statistics
29/08/2003
More people are surviving for longer with cancer,
according to new figures published today by the Information
and Statistics Division (ISD).
The figures show increases in the survival rates for
nine out of 10 of the most common male and female cancers
diagnosed between 1995 and 1999.
The number of people still alive five years after
diagnosis rose from 25 per cent to 38 per cent in men and
from 37 per cent to 48 per cent in women.
In men, the largest increase was for prostate cancer
survival, which has increased from 44.5 per cent to 69.7
per cent.
For women there have been large increases in survival
rates for cancer of the rectum, which has increased from 33
to 52.9 per cent, and for breast cancer 79.7 per cent of
women have survived for more than five years compared to
the previous figure of 63.5 per cent.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"These are encouraging figures showing continuing
improvements in overall cancer survival rates.
"It shows the benefits that earlier detection of cancer
as well as new and improved forms of treatment can bring.
We are already more than half way towards meeting our
target of reducing mortality from cancer in people aged
under 75 by 20 per cent by 2010.
"But we can't be complacent. It is clear that detection
of cancer at its earlier stages of development can help
improve outcomes. But earlier detection alone is not the
answer unless it is backed up with effective treatment.
"The £60 million investment we have put into improving
cancer treatment across Scotland will enable us to maintain
the momentum towards achieving the target.
"Much valuable work being done across Scotland is
helping to ensure that this investment results in visible
benefits for patients. Investment monitoring shows
significant improvements in waiting times, in the numbers
of specialist staff dedicated to cancer care, and in
finding innovative ways of working to improve services.
"For example, a new diagnostic coordinator, clinical
nurse specialist and additional theatre time in the Borders
has resulted in urgent barium enema waiting times being
reduced from three to four weeks to nine days and non
urgent from six weeks to three weeks.
"And investment in an additional ultrasound machine in
Argyll and Clyde has enabled an additional 2,477
ultrasounds to be undertaken since October 2002, reducing
waiting times from 11 weeks to five.
"Most importantly, I look forward to seeing the real
results of this work reflected in future figures - with
more people living longer after having had cancer, which we
all know is one of Scotland's biggest killers."
Cancer in Scotland:
Action for Change - a strategy for
tackling cancer and was published in July 2001.
A total of £60m new investment is currently
helping to implement the plan across Scotland.
For males, the largest increase in the statistics for
survival rates is shown for prostate cancer which has
increased from 44.5 per cent to 69.7 per cent. However it
is possible that some of this increase is due to increased
detection of prostate cancer as well as actual increases in
patient survival rates.
Earlier and/or increased detection of cancer, will by
definition lead to increases in the statistical cancer
survival rates. Caution is advised when considering trends
in cancer survival rates, as for some types of cancer, they
are likely to be based on patients who have been diagnosed
at different stages of cancer disease progression.