West of Scotland Liberal Democrat MSP Ross Finnie is disappointed that Lung Cancer rates are 50 per cent higher in the West of Scotland than the rest of the UK, but is unsure of the veracity of the figures published by the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN).
Statistics, published today by the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) state people living in the West of Scotland are 50 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with Lung Cancer than people living in the rest of the UK. The statistics also showed that overall; people living in the West of Scotland were 15 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with Lung Cancer than people from the rest of Scotland.
"Although I agree the figures released today are very worrying, I don't believe the veracity of the figures is as strong as suggested as even though the data was compiled this year, it is based on new cancer cases and deaths recorded in 2005; this was before we had implemented the smoking ban in Scotland in 2006.
"I would like to see more updated figures on the cancer rates for Scotland after the implementation of the smoking ban to gauge a more up to date picture of the cancer rates in Scotland.
"The West of Scotland has a dangerous relationship with cigarettes but I think since the smoking ban this relationship has improved, and the Scottish Government should continue to work to reduce the smoking rates in the West of Scotland.
Figures and report on Lung Cancer rates in the West of Scotland can be found on the National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN) website.
