Scottish Labour have called cancer mortality rates a “national scandal” as new figures revealed those from the most deprived areas are 66 per cent more likely to die from cancer.

New figures from Public Health Scotland for 2019 confirm that those from the most deprived areas are 28 per cent more likely to get cancer than those from the least deprived, and a shocking 66 per cent more likely to die from cancer.

This follows news earlier this week that early detection of cancer has been falling while late detection rose.

Given these figures don’t account for the impact of the pandemic, Scottish Labour have raised concerns things may get worse, warning that the worst off will be hit the hardest if the SNP don’t act now to get cancer services back on track.

Commenting, Scottish Labour’s Health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said:

“These staggering inequalities are nothing short of a national scandal.

“Lives are being lost at as a direct result of Scotland’s shameful health inequalities – and things are only set to get worse.

“These figures are a grim reminder that it is the worst off who will be hit the hardest by the cancer timebomb we face.

“The lockdown backlog along with falling early detection and the ongoing NHS crisis have created a perfect storm for cancer services.

“The SNP need to act now to get cancer treatment back on track and to tackle the disgraceful inequalities that continue to plague Scottish healthcare.”