By CAROLINE WILSON

THE number of Scots diagnosed by cancer who will survive has increased by more than 65% in the past 30 years.

New figures show that around 15,800 people diagnosed this year will survive compared to 9,500 three decades ago - enough to fill Glasgow's Armadillo five times over.

The figures were revealed at the launch of a new campaign, which aims to change the way cancer is viewed by the public and turn the 'Big C' into the wee c.

The Scottish Government has joined forces with 14 cancer charities and a host of celebrities including Sir Jackie Stewart and Sanjeev Kohli.

Research has shown that the common perception, particularly amongst older generations, that cancer is always fatal is key barrier to people going to their doctor to check symptoms.

Figures show that half of men and women in Scotland now survive cancer, 48 per cent of males and 54 per cent of females.

However cancer experts believe 1000 deaths a year could be avoided if early detection rates improved.

Professor Karen Vousden, Director of Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute in Glasgow, said: "We are all working very hard to find new treatments for cancer but at the end of the day we would x if more people had the courage to go to their doctor.

"There is no reason why anybody should die from skin cancer because it's visible."

Professor Vousden said work was currently underway to look at possible screening techniques for pancreatic cancer, which has very little warning signs and very low survival rates.

Alex Watson, from Lenzie, was diagnosed with testicular cancer when he was 23-years-old.

Alex, 43, said: "When I was diagnosed testicular cancer was something that not a lot of doctors saw at the time.

"My own GP didn't have a lot of exerience.

"I had been to the doctors a few times before it was diagnosed. If you think there is something wrong, then go to your GP, the GP might not pick up on it immediately but it's about trying to understand your own body.

"Sometimes you just know that there is something wrong."

Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Health, said: "Reframing the way cancer is viewed goes hand in hand with boosting survival rates and everyone can play a part.

"If we can raise awareness of what is being done to tackle cancer, we'll hopefully in time, be able to address the fear people have in seeing their GP."