Scotland risks losing 'hard-won' progress on cancer survival to Covid-19, charities warn

Scotland risks losing the “hard-won” progress made in recent years with cancer survival statistics, charities have warned.

Kirsty Slack of CRUK in Scotland

It comes as new figures released by Public Health Scotland (PHS) show that cancer survival rates improved by about two per cent between 2012 and 2017, with 52 per cent of women and 46 per cent of men now surviving five years or more after diagnosis.

The chances of survival after a cancer diagnosis in Scotland vary from around 10 per cent to 100 per cent, depending on the type of cancer.

Higher socio-economic deprivation is associated with lower rates of survival, with age-standardised figures for lung cancer more than five per cent lower in both men and women from the most deprived 20 per cent of the population compared to the least deprived.

Reasons for improved survival rates, according to PHS, include earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments.

Charities welcomed the news, but warned progress is threatened by Covid-19.

Head of policy for Macmillan in Scotland Kate Seymour said: “It’s good news cancer survival is improving in Scotland, thanks to years of work by NHS staff, the government and charities across the country.

“However these figures are also a stark reminder of the hard won progress we stand to lose as a result of covid.

“We know the NHS is under extreme pressure and staff are doing everything they can to keep cancer tests and treatment going where possible.

“Where there has been disruption its essential people with cancer are given full explanations of the reasons behind any delays to their tests and treatment and have the opportunity to discuss worries with their cancer care team.”

Kirsty Slack, Public Affairs Manager of Cancer Research UK in Scotland, said: “It’s good news to see that a growing proportion of people in Scotland are surviving their cancer. Research is at the heart of that progress. This has led to improvements in treatment and diagnosis.

“However, much remains to be done, if cancer survival in Scotland is to match that in the best performing countries in Europe.

“What these figures don’t tell us is the worrying impact that COVID-19 may have on cancer survival.

“We’re concerned that the current backlog in testing and diagnosing cancer will lead to the disease being picked up later when it’s more difficult to treat.”

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