New call to tackle lung cancer

Smokers face a higher risk of lung cancer

Survival rates for lung cancer sufferers in Scotland are among the worst in Europe, according to a leading cancer charity.

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation wants to see the disease made a political priority and designated 26 February as the first Lung Cancer Day.

Lung cancer is now the biggest cancer killer in both sexes in the UK and is responsible for a quarter of all cancer mortality.

Scotland has one of the worst lung cancer rates in Europe, and only 6% of patients survive it five years from diagnosis.

The charity was set up in memory of Roy Castle

The Roy Castle Foundation is bringing together medical experts in London to highlight what they see as an appalling lack of funding for the disease.

The foundation also believes the poor survival rates in Scotland is due to the concentration of sufferers being on low incomes.

It also warned that a perception that the disease is self-inflicted has lead to fewer advocates for lung cancer research and funding.

The charity said it hoped its summit would address these inequalities and give a strong message to politicians - across the parties - to review their commitment to fighting a major killer.

The foundation was set up in memory of the entertainer Roy Castle, who died of the condition.