Number of Scottish Cancer Diagnoses to Rise by a Third
Every hour more than three people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland. This is 83 people a day, or 30,200 a year.
Every hour more than three people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland. This is 83 people a day, or 30,200 a year.
Experts say around one-third of the most common cancers in the UK could be prevented by changes in diet, physical activity and body weight.
The Scottish Cancer Prevention Network’s fifth annual World Cancer Day conference takes place in the Merchants’ Hall in Edinburgh with the theme of `We Can, I Can’.
“The theme this year is ‘We Can, I Can’, designed to highlight the fact that we - organisations, governments, health professionals - can take action against cancer, but also, as individuals, we can take steps to stack the odds against developing cancer,” said Professor Annie Anderson, of the University of Dundee and Co-Director of the SCPN.
“Cancer is said to be our number one fear but many people still think there is little that can be done to stop it happening and they will say it is down to genes, bad luck or fate. But about a third of many of the most common cancers in the UK could be prevented by changes in diet, physical activity and body weight. Add in smoking and the preventability estimate increases.
“In Scotland we cannot ignore cancer now and we cannot ignore future predictions. Government figures show that the number of new cases of cancer is predicted to rise by 33% between now and 2023-2027.
“Scotland has shown leadership in smoke-free public places and on minimum pricing on alcohol so should be leading on effective ways to decrease obesity, poor diet and inactivity- but is it?
“There needs to be strong voices for supporting diet and lifestyle change for cancer prevention. Our aim with the SCPN and the conference is to showcase excellent work around cancer prevention in Scotland and to share that in research centres, communities and health boards across the country.”
30 year old Fi Munro was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just 2 weeks ago - after months of testing after surgery last year.
She starts chemotherapy this week, after having her hair cut short and donated to make wigs for youngsters with the disease.