Cancer detection rates still worse in poorer areas

25 Jul 2017

Statistics published today by ISD Scotland have shown that cancer detection rates are markedly worse in poorer areas of Scotland.

The highest proportion of patients with breast, colorectal and lung cancer in the most deprived areas of Scotland were diagnosed at stage 4.

Meanwhile for those living in the least deprived areas, the highest proportion were diagnosed at stage 2.

The Scottish Conservatives have called on the Scottish Government to do more to tackle the discrepancy, especially when early diagnosis can have a huge impact on survival rates.

Scottish Conservative public health spokesman Annie Wells MSP said:

“These statistics show that there is still a huge discrepancy between those living in the most and least deprived areas of Scotland when it comes to detecting cancer.

“It shouldn’t be the case that just because you live in a poorer area you should receive a later diagnosis.

“When having an earlier diagnosis can have a huge impact on your chances of survival, we can’t let this postcode lottery continue.

“We need to see improvements across the board so that all Scots receive the best care from the earliest stage possible.”

For patients diagnosed with breast, colorectal and lung cancer in the most deprived areas of Scotland, the highest proportion were diagnosed at the most advanced stage of disease; stage 4 (29.4%) while for those living in the least deprived areas, the highest proportion were diagnosed at stage 2 (28.6%).

You can read the statistics here:
https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Cancer/Publications/2017-07-25/2017-07-25-DetectCancerEarly-Report.pdf