This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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More children surviving cancer
22/01/2004
Improvements in diagnosis and treatment resulting in
more Scottish children surviving cancer were welcomed today
by Chief Medical Officer Dr Mac Armstrong.
Statistics published today by ISD
Childhood Cancer in Scotland: incidence, mortality,
and survival, 1975-1999 show that for children
aged 0-14:
- Between the period 1975-79 and 1995-99 the rate of
all childhood cancers had increased by 22 per cent,
from 108 to 132 per million children per year
- In the same period, mortality has decreased by 47
per cent, from 53 to 28 per million children per
year
- In the same period, more children are surviving for
five years or longer, from 50 per cent to 76 per
cent
- Around 44 per cent of all childhood cancers are
accounted for by cancers of the blood and lymphatic
system, the biggest being leukaemia
- International comparisons show that Scotland has a
lower incidence rate than Denmark and Finland and a
higher survival rate than Hungary, Spain, Netherlands,
England and Wales
Dr Armstrong said:
"Speedy diagnosis and treatment of life threatening
diseases, like cancer, continue to be a key priority for
the Executive and NHSScotland.
"I welcome publication of these figures which show that
major improvements have been made over the last 25 years,
in particular the 26 per cent increase in five year
survival rates. Scotland compares favourably with the best
internationally.
"I do want to reassure parents in Scotland, that while
it must be a terrible finding out your child has cancer, it
is still relatively rare with approximately 120 new cases
of childhood cancer in a year.
"While the incidence of cancer overall is projected to
continue to rise, earlier diagnosis and new and improved
treatments are leading to consistent and sustained
improvements in mortality."
The Executive has invested £60 million in support of the
cancer strategy
Cancer in Scotland: Action for Change
aimed at securing more rapid diagnosis and improvements in
cancer services.
There have been some investments in paediatric oncology
and equipment. The biggest investment has been in
additional staff and equipment in cancer centres which
children will benefit from because treatment such as
radiotherapy (RT) is available only in these centres.
On top of the 360 million, over the last six years £33
million of capital investment has been committed to the
nationwide programme to upgrade RT equipment.