Cancer cases in Scotland hit record high with 35,600 diagnoses made each year

Cancer cases in Scotland have reached a record high, with around 35,600 people now being diagnosed each year – an average of 97 new cases every day.

The figures are published in a new report released by Cancer Research UK on Thursday.

While the rise is largely driven by Scotland’s ageing and growing population, the charity’s Cancer in the UK: Scotland Overview Report 2026 shows cancer incidence rates have also increased by 3% since the early 1990s.

Cancer Research UK says this reflects changes in preventable risk factors – including obesity – as well as improved detection and diagnosis.

Despite the increase in cases, cancer death rates have fallen by around 19% in Scotland since the early 1970s, largely due to advances in prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

However, the charity warns progress has slowed.

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: “More people are being diagnosed with cancer than ever before. Although cancer survival has doubled in the UK since the 1970s, progress has slowed over the last decade.

Smoking is linked to around 5,900 cancer cases a year in Scotland Adobe Stock

“Improvements in diagnosing cancer earlier, and meeting cancer waiting time targets, are needed to enhance the lives of cancer patients in Scotland.

“We’ve never understood more than we do now about cancer prevention, early diagnosis and cutting-edge treatment – it’s critical that this knowledge is harnessed and plans are put into action to reform and support Scotland’s healthcare system.”

The report highlights early diagnosis as a major challenge, with just over half of cancer patients in Scotland diagnosed at an early stage – a figure which has barely changed in recent years.

Cancer Research UK says fully rolling out lung cancer screening could see around 650 more patients each year diagnosed earlier, rather than at a late stage.

The charity is also calling for stronger action on prevention, particularly tackling smoking, obesity and alcohol consumption. Smoking is linked to around 5,900 cancer cases a year in Scotland, while around two‑thirds of adults are overweight or living with obesity.

Concerns were also raised about treatment delays, with around 1,300 patients waiting longer than the 62‑day target to start treatment following an urgent suspected cancer referral between October and December 2025.

Cancer Research UK says a fully funded, long‑term cancer strategy must remain a priority in Scotland to prevent outcomes falling further behind comparable countries.