CANCER rates in Scotland could soar to unprecedented rates within the next decade if people do not start leading healthier lives.
The figures were revealed in the annual report by the country's chief medical officer, Dr Harry Burns.
If trends remain unchanged, the number of cases of bowel cancer will rise by almost 50 per cent, from 3,412 a year in 2005 to an average of 5,1
16 a year during 2016-20.
Over the same period cases of prostate cancer are projected to rise from 2,420 to 3,207 – an increase of 33 per cent.
And cases of breast cancer in women are projected to rise by 22 per cent, going from 3,998 a year in 2005 to 4,886 during 2016-20.
But while deaths from bowel and breast cancer are expected to stay relatively stable, the number of people dying from prostate cancer is expected to increase from 793 in 2007 to 1,249 a year from 2015-19 – up 58 per cent.
Dr Burns warned that the figures would be the likely outcome if Scots did not take simple steps to lead healthier lifestyles, adding that to do so could save 5,000 lives.
He stressed the impact that alcohol and obesity were having on the nation's health, highlighting the fact that in some deprived areas the number of premature deaths from alcoholic liver disease is now higher than deaths from heart attacks.
Dr Burns said: "Coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer are the biggest causes of death in Scotland.
"Deaths from alcohol-related liver disease in Scotland are rising faster than almost anywhere else in the world.
"Tragically, thousands of Scots are dying from these conditions years earlier than they should."
Health experts recommend people should not smoke, should eat a healthy diet, be physically active most days, keep within the recommended limits for drinking alcohol and should never inject drugs.
Dr Burns also stressed that not all cases of cancer were "inevitable".
He said: "We are making progress in reducing some cancer deaths but, with the average age of the Scottish population increasing, the number of new cancers in Scotland is increasing year-on-year."
In his report, Dr Burns said the "most worrying trend" was the significant increase in deaths linked to alcohol.
And he warned: "Scotland must change its attitudes to this drug."
Chronic liver disease now accounts for one in 50 of all deaths in Scotland, with about 1,000 people a year dying from it.
The report said the "overwhelming majority" of these deaths were due to alcohol.
Dr Burns said: "There is enough alcohol sold each year to put every man, woman and child over the age of 16 above the recommended intake."
And the report said: "An epidemic of alcohol misuse is driving the current rise in chronic liver disease mortality. This needs to be urgently addressed."
The report also said the trends on obesity were "very worrying", stating that, while the past ten years had seen a steady fall in deaths from coronary heart disease, there was a "small increase" in mortality rates in young men between 2005 and 2006.
It stated: "Recent evidence suggests that the risk of developing heart disease is increasing in younger men aged 35-55."
Commenting on the report, the Labour health spokesman, Dr Richard Simpson, said: "We need the Scottish Government to redouble their efforts to prevent thousands of Scots dying years earlier than they should.
"I am particularly concerned that deaths from alcohol-related liver disease are rising faster in Scotland than almost anywhere else in the world.
"It is vital that the Scottish Government increase its efforts to tackle alcohol abuse."
Replying, Nicola Sturgeon, the health secretary, said: "I am passionate about giving the people of Scotland the best possible NHS, and that is why this Scottish Government has invested record sums in our NHS, despite the funding squeeze from Westminster."
Ross Finnie, the Liberal Democrats' health spokesman, said there needed to be a more preventive approach to healthcare.
Mr Finnie said: "Today's report from Scotland's chief medical officer only underlines the need to shift the emphasis on to prevention, rather than treating sickness, starting with the promotion of healthier lifestyles."
