Increase in cancer diagnosis in Scotland predicted

ONE PERSON in Scotland will be diagnosed with cancer every 15 minutes by the end of 2016, according to figures from a charity.
Macmillan Cancer Support says the ageing population means that in two years time, the diagnosis rate will have risen to almost 90 people a day. Picture: PAMacmillan Cancer Support says the ageing population means that in two years time, the diagnosis rate will have risen to almost 90 people a day. Picture: PA
Macmillan Cancer Support says the ageing population means that in two years time, the diagnosis rate will have risen to almost 90 people a day. Picture: PA

Macmillan Cancer Support says the ageing population means that in two years’ time, the diagnosis rate will have risen to almost 90 people a day - or more than 32,000 people a year.

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This is an increase of around 18% from 1996 when 27,250 people were diagnosed with cancer.

There are currently 190,000 people living with cancer in Scotland, with that number expected to double by 2030.

The figures were published by Macmillan as the charity called for the Scottish Government to put in place a long term plan to cope with the increasing number of people being diagnosed with and surviving cancer.

The charity’s Scottish head, Janice Preston, said: “We know the NHS is already under real pressure trying to cope with the number of people living with cancer.

“Waiting times targets are being missed, and many patients tell us that while their medical treatment was good, often no-one tells them where to find support coping with the emotional, financial and practical problems cancer can cause.

“It is vitally important that we transform the way we deliver cancer care to make sure our system can meet the needs of the huge numbers of people who will be diagnosed with the illness in the future.

“This means not only ensuring they get the best possible medical care, but that their emotional, practical and financial needs are also met.”

Macmillan said the rise in the number of people being diagnosed with cancer is largely down to people living longer, with around two in three cases diagnosed in people aged 65 or over.

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