Cancer death rates fall but 'still much to do'

Death from cancer in Scotland has become less likely in the last decade, according to new figures, but experts have warned there is "still much to do".

- RYAN MCDOUGALL, PA SCOTLAND

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In a new report, Public Health Scotland (PHS) unveiled statistics showing the risk of death from cancer has fallen 12 per cent in the last 10 years.

The report, Cancer Mortality In Scotland, published this week, looked at cancer deaths between 2015 and 2024.

It said despite the risk having lowered, an ageing population led to a small increase in deaths due to cancer over the period, with the number of such deaths at 16,011 in 2015 and 16,352 in 2024.

PHS noted that, in 2024, 70 per cent of cancer deaths were in people aged 70 and older-an increase of four per cent when compared with 2015.

The average age of death also increased between 2020 and 2024, rising from 71 to 74 for men and 72 to 74 for women.