Rise in female lung cancer deaths

Lung cancer remains one of the big killers in Scotland

More women are dying of lung cancer in Scotland, new NHS figures have shown.

The updated cancer mortality statistics show the rise bucks the trend for death rates from other types of cancer, all of which are going down.

Over the 10 years to 2008, lung cancer deaths in men went down by 21% but increased by more than 11% among women.

The Scottish government said while it welcomed the reduction in overall cancer deaths, it was trying to discourage unhealthy lifestyle choices.

For the past 10 years, overall death rates have gone down by 12% for men with cancer and 5% for women.

Lung, bowel, breast and oesophagus cancer remain the big killers.

But the figures also reinforced major health differences between rich and poor people.

One of the reasons why this disease has one of the lowest survival rates is that it is often diagnosed at a late stage Elspeth Atkinson Macmillan Cancer Support

People living in the poorest areas have cancer rates 40% higher than those in the wealthiest areas, and death rates from cancer are 75% higher.

However, this varies according to the type of cancer.

Lung and other types of smoking-related cancer are more common in deprived areas but death rates from skin cancer are highest in the least deprived areas.

The Scottish government spokeswoman said: "These health inequalities are unacceptable and we are tackling them on a number of fronts.

"For example, we are taking a wide range of measures to combat excess drinking, making cigarettes less attractive and less available to young people, and encouraging other healthy lifestyle choices."

Over the 10-year period, bowel cancer death rates among both men and women fell by 16%, there was a 13% drop in breast cancer deaths and a 12% reduction in prostate cancer deaths.

The statistics showed a total of 15,211 people died from cancer last year, and although "age-standardised" death rates have fallen, the actual number of deaths has gone up.

Elderly population

This, say the statisticians, reflects an increasingly elderly population and the fact that cancer is relatively common among elderly people.

The spokeswoman added: "It's very encouraging that overall cancer deaths continue to fall, down 7% between 1998-2008, and that premature cancer deaths are down 20% since 1995.

"This is particularly heartening since the incidence of cancer is rising, partly because we have an ageing population."

Elspeth Atkinson, Macmillan's Cancer Support's director for Scotland, said: "Smoking is the single most preventable cause of lung cancer.

"One of the reasons why this disease has one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer is that it is often diagnosed at a late stage.

"We are urging people to visit their doctor if they have any symptoms."