SCOTLAND has some the worst survival rates for the most serious cancers, a charity coalition warned TOday.

The Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce (LSCT) looked at five-year survival rates across 33 countries of similar levels of wealth and income, finding that Scotland languished at 29 for lung cancer, 31 for stomach cancer and 32 for pancreatic cancer.

Finding the highest survival rates in South Korea, Belgium, the US, Australia and China, the taskforce — comprised of charities focused on lung, liver, brain, oesophageal, pancreatic and stomach cancers — released the data to coincide with Less Survivable Cancers Awareness Day.

LSCT argues that the key to improvement is earlier diagnosis.

Lorraine Dallas, LSCT Scotland group chairwoman, said: “To change this poor outlook for people across the country, we’re calling on all UK governments to commit to speeding up diagnosis, improving existing diagnostic routes and developing new treatments by investing in research into less survivable cancers.

“If we could bring the survivability of these cancers on level with the best-performing countries in the world, then we could gain valuable years for thousands of patients.”

Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “Less survivable cancers are not uncommon and it’s unacceptable that we’re lagging so far behind other countries when it comes to survivability.

“Politicians of all parties across the UK need to come together to improve outcomes for these patients by working towards better diagnosis and treatment options.”

A Scottish government spokesman said: “We are committed to improving cancer survival, providing equitable access to treatment and finding cancer early.

“Cancer remains a national priority for the NHS and the Scottish government, and we continue to have a focus on the less survivable cancers and improving their outcomes.”