The gap in lung cancer deaths between rich and poor is increasing, new figures have shown

Those living in deprived communities are more likely to die from lung cancer, statistics have revealed.

Figures released by the Scottish Government this week show that deaths from lung cancer continue to display the worst levels of inequality between rich and poor households in Scotland.

According to the latest health inequality data, Scots are four times more likely to die from lung cancer if they live in a more deprived area. The figures highlight that the overall gap in lung cancer deaths has increased over the last two decades.

The British Lung Foundation is calling on the Scottish Government to introduce a national screening programme for lung cancer, to build on previous public awareness campaigns to highlight the symptoms of lung cancer.

Commenting on the figures, Joseph Carter, head of British Lung Foundation Scotland, said: “It’s unacceptable that it continues to be the case that your postcode determines your likelihood of getting lung cancer in Scotland. Just under half of all lung cancer cases are identified at the latest possible stage, where the chances of survival are much lower. These figures show that we need to work much harder to detect lung cancer at a much earlier stage.

“With the gap in lung cancer deaths between rich and poor showing few signs of improvement, we need a new approach to diagnosis and treatment for lung disease in Scotland. Evidence from other countries shows that national lung cancer screening programmes can reduce the number of deaths from lung cancer by as much as 20%. Expanding the existing Detect Cancer Early programme into a nationwide lung cancer screening programme will save lives and help to close the lung cancer gap between rich and poor households once and for all.”