THE number of people in Scotland surviving cancer has increased for almost all forms of the disease.

The predicted five-year survival rate for men diagnosed between 2000 and 2004 is 42%, while for women it is 51%.

That means survival rates for men have increased 17% from 1980-1984, while female survival rates are up 13%.

The figures have been welcomed by Deputy First Minister and Health Secretary Health Nicola Sturgeon.

She said: "Cancer treatment in Scotland is as good as anywhere in the world, with new drugs and state-of-the-art radiotherapy equipment in all our cancer centres.

"The Scottish Government is on track to achieve reducing premature cancer deaths by 20% by 2010."

The cancers with the highest five-year survival rates are testicular with 97%; female breast 84%; cervical 83%; Hodgkin's disease, 90% men, 92% women; thyroid cancer 81% men, 92% women; and prostate, 80%.

Ms Sturgeon, pictured below, said there was still "more to be done to make sure Scots have the best possible chances of long-term survival following a cancer diagnosis".

She stressed: "Early diagnosis and treatment can mean the difference between life and death.

"That is why cancer screening programmes and carrying out self-checks are so vital.

"Bowel cancer, for example, is the second biggest cause of cancer deaths in the UK, but if picked up early enough, it can be very treatable.

"Which is why we are committed to extending the UK's most comprehensive bowel screening programme across NHS board areas. Evidence shows this will save around 150 lives every year."