Many Scots are failing to recognise the possible signs and symptoms of cancer.

Eight out of 10 adults surveyed failed to mention coughing or problems with bowels or the bladder, while a higher number did not categorise pain as a symptom, according to a new Cancer Research UK study.

Even when people did recognise signs they thought might be serious, the survey found more than 40% said they might delay getting symptoms checked out because they were worried what the doctor might find.

More than one quarter told the report – Delay Kills – that they might put off checks because they feared wasting doctors' time.

Tesco has pledged to raise £10 million to help scientists find ways to increase survival rates in the UK.

As well as an in-store customer awareness campaign, the funding will create 32 early-diagnosis research projects across the UK, in cities including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

Louise Moscrop, of Edinburgh, was successfully treated for cervical cancer after attending a routine smear test last year.

The 28-year-old occupational therapist, who was given the all-clear six months ago, said she owes her life to the fact that the disease was detected early.

She is now supporting the partnership between the supermarket and Cancer Research UK. She said: "I'm one of the lucky ones in that my cancer was spotted early, but all too often cancer is detected further down the line when effective treatment becomes more difficult."

The survey, which interviewed 200 Scottish adults and 2090 people in total, revealed that when asked what they thought affected a person's chance of developing cancer, 6% mentioned being overweight and 4% listed old age as a factor. More than 85% said smoking affected cancer risk but only 22% said sunburn.