Cancer on the rise among Scottish women

Women lung cancer death rates bIncreased by nearly 12% over 10 years.

Lifestyle choices including ladette behaviour are driving up the risk of women developing the cancer disease, while levels among men are falling.

Figures of people diagnosed with cancer in Scotland has been on the increase for some time. According to the new data, 28,638 patients tested positive in 2008, compared with 25,771 in 1998. This is largely because cancer is more common among the elderly population.In shifting age profile into account, there was a 6% drop in the incidence of cancer among Scottish men during the decade to 2008. However, it rises by 4% among women.NHS Scotland statistics division, which conducted analysis, said it is the first time when this significant trend had been seen among women.

Women suffering lung cancer and breast cancer are driving the problem. Death rates from lung cancer in women have increased by nearly 12% over the last decade.Nell Barrie, Cancer Research UK’s science information officer, said: “Breast cancer rates have been increasing for some time. This is partly because of lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption, obesity and the trend to have children later in life, which increases their risk of the disease, but it is also partly because more cases are being picked up through the national screening programme.

“Lung cancer rates in women are also going up in Scotland.Number of men dying from lung cancer will continue to fall in Scotland, while female deaths will increase slightly up to 2014. This is mainly because of historical differences in smoking patterns between men and women.”

Ms Sturgeon said: “Skin cancer is clearly linked to excessive exposure to sunlight or use of sunbeds. Those with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, a disease that has increased markedly in Scotland in recent years have a significantly increased risk of liver cancer.The incidence of both types of cancer is increasing sharply.

Incidence of skin cancer has also risen sharply,upto 68% in men and 71% in women between 1998 and 2008.People not realising the risks in the past,have to look at the statistics in the coming years to see if the awareness message is getting across.”On a more positive side,new report showed large improvements in the number of sufferers who have survived cancer.We must redouble efforts to change attitudes about making healthy lifestyle choices in Scotland and raise awareness of the serious risks associated with making poor lifestyle choices.