CANCER diagnosis has ­increased in Glasgow according to the latest statistics.

Figures show all cancers have gone up by 17% since 1998 and by 10% since the millennium.

Breast cancer rates have gone up from 735 in 1998 to 1082 in 2012 the latest full year available, an increase of almost 50%.

The figures come as health chiefs in Glasgow warn women in the west of Scotland are missing more screening appointments than anywhere else in Scotland.

The increase in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area is lower than across the country were rates shot up by almost 70% from 2747 to 4623 over the period 1988 to 2012.

Consultant in Public Health Medicine Dr Emilia Crighton said: "Screening can find breast cancer before you think anything might be wrong.

"The earlier breast cancer is found, the better chance you have of surviving it.

"It is therefore worrying that more than a third of women are not attending for this screening test.

"I would encourage all women who receive an invitation for a mammogram to consider the offer of screening to make an informed choice about their health."

Screening is available to all women aged between 50 and 70. Between 2010 and 2013 152,447 women were to attend for a breast screening and of these 105,294 kept the appointment.

Skin cancer showed the biggest increase across Scotland over the last decade up 37%.

In the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area it went from 423 ­cases in 200 to 576 in 2012 but since 1988 it has more than ­doubled from 266 diagnoses.

Scotland's Acting Chief ­Medical officer has warned about the use of sunbeds.

Dr Aileen Keel, said: "These figures are yet another stark warning of the dangers of unsafe tanning, either in the sun or using sunbeds.

"The increase in the number of people being diagnosed with melanoma may in part be down to better awareness and improved diagnosis, but there is no doubt that unsafe tanning remains a big issue, particularly among the young.

"That is why it's crucial that people listen and act on the health advice to be safe in the sun.

"Many people will be planning their summer holidays now and I would urge everyone to take extra care, cover up and use sun cream."

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk