THOUSANDS more people in Scotland's poorest areas are being diagnosed with cancer every year compared to those in the most affluent postcodes.
The latest figures on cancer incidence reveal that the most deprived Scots are 26 per cent more likely to develop the disease than least deprived, due to factors such as lower participation in screening programmes for bowel or cervical cancer as well as higher rates of smoking, obesity, heavy drinking and diets high in meat but low in fruit and vegetables.
Read more: NHS under 'huge strain' as more people live longer with cancer
In the most deprived fifth of the population, there were an extra 1,080 cases of cancer a year between 2012 and 2016 compared to the least deprived fifth.
Adjusting for age, the rates of cancer increased steadily in line with deprivation - ranging from 601.1 per 100,000 in the most affluent quintile to 760.2 among the poorest Scots.
Janice Preston, head of Macmillan in Scotland, said: “The figures released today underline how far we have to go when it comes to tackling cancer in deprived communities
“Not only are people in deprived areas more likely to get cancer, previous figures show they’re also more likely to die from it. It’s vital work continues to tackle the reasons behind this.”
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Not all types of cancer follow this trend, however. The risk of developing some forms of the disease - including breast cancer and prostate cancer - is highest for the wealthiest fifth of the population.
This is believed to be largely due to more affluent people living longer on average, and therefore increasing their lifetime risk of these illnesses.
However, in the case of breast cancer, women who begin having children later in life or who have fewer children - choices more commonly associated with wealthier mothers - are known to increase their risk of the disease.
The total number of cancer diagnoses in Scotland is up by more than 3000 a year compared to a decade ago, with 31,331 cases detected in 2016.
This increase, which is contributing to the pressure on cancer services such as diagnostic tests and waiting times for treatment, has been driven by Scotland's ageing population. Three quarters of cancers are diagnosed in patients aged 60 or older.
Read more: Nearly two out of five cases of cancer 'avoidable'
And while overall rates of cancer - adjusted for age - show that incidence has fallen by three per cent over the past decade, some cancers such as malignant melanoma and kidney cancer have shot up by 15 and 18 per cent respectively.
Rates of liver cancer are also up by 21 per cent compared to 2006, with 580 new cases in 2016. Fat accumulating around the liver due to obesity is a major factor.
The Scottish Government has invested £41 million since 2012 in its Detect Cancer Early Programme, and £100m in treating and preventing the disease under its Cancer Strategy.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “We know nearly four in 10 cancers can be attributed to factors such as smoking, being overweight, diet and alcohol. We want to continue to help people make better, healthier choices which can reduce their risk of cancer, and we are making progress.
"Smoking rates are falling as the result of a range of actions we have taken, including banning the promotion of cigarettes, and we are publishing refreshed tobacco and alcohol strategies this year.
"Our world-leading work around improving diet and reducing obesity will restrict the promotion of foods high in fat, salt or sugar – one of our biggest challenges.”
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