Jackie Baillie has warned the SNP is failing Scotland’s cancer patients, with statistics showing that improvement in cancer survival rates was stalling before the pandemic.

Figures confirm that there was no evidence for any change in age-standardised net survival in 2019, compared to 2018, for any cancer sites.

During the five-year period 2015–19, 141,572 adults were diagnosed with cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) in Scotland.

Jackie Baillie has said that the SNP government has ‘taken its eye off the ball’ when it comes to tackling cancer which has only gotten worse during the pandemic including worsening outcomes for those from deprived areas, including West Dunbartonshire.

Earlier this year, Public Health Scotland laid bare the scale of the cancer crisis across the country, showing thousands of missing cases and a sharp fall in early diagnosis with the data showing that those from deprived areas, including West Dunbartonshire, have been worst affected by under-diagnosis during the Covid pandemic.

Cancer incidence fell from being 33 percent higher in deprived areas, such as West Dunbartonshire, pre-pandemic to 30 percent higher in 2020 compared with more affluent regions. The report suggests the figures are due to a “greater level of under-diagnosis” in deprived areas rather than there being less incidences of cancer.

Jackie Baillie said: “All of these statistics point to an extremely worrying position for people who are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland, and especially those from deprived areas like West Dunbartonshire.

“I have yet to see proper action from the Scottish Government to tackle the cancer crisis despite repeated warning signs.

“Cancer remains Scotland’s biggest killer but this SNP government has completely taken its eye off the ball.

“These statistics plainly show that, even before the pandemic, progress in improving cancer survival rates was stalling.

“We know that the pandemic will only have added fuel to the fire and led to more lives being put in danger.

“Last year, Nicola Sturgeon promised to focus on tackling cancer – but now we know that these were only hollow words.

“Only Labour can be trusted to focus on the issues that matter and act to save lives.”