Scottish cancer deaths fall
Scotland’s health minister today welcomed figures showing cancer mortality has decreased by 12 per cent for men and six per cent among women.
In the past ten years, the number of men dying of lung cancer fell by 27 per cent, while deaths from stomach cancer among women fell by a third.
“With some of the best treatment in the world, more and more Scots are living with and beating cancer,” said health minister Andy Kerr.
“The figures out today show that while the number of new cancer cases increased between 2001 and 2002, fewer Scots are dying from the disease.”
He added: “We have invested £150 million in cancer services since 2001 and we are now beginning to see real improvements and benefits for patients.”
However, he described as “disappointing” figures showing a steep increase of male deaths by skin cancer by 31 per cent, to 93, and pledged to continue raising awareness of the disease.
