Scottish Government misses key skin cancer quality targets
The data also shows that the limited availability of pathology services and operating theatres in Scotland is causing delays in diagnosing and treating skin cancer.
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The quality performance indicator target 7 - which deals with pathology and theatre capacity - remains difficult to achieve, as regional reports highlight limited pathology service capacity and operating theatre availability as key barriers to meeting these standards.
Performance on imaging scans for patients with melanoma has also declined and has fallen short of national targets.
According to Public Health Scotland, this target worsened in 2023-2024 after some improvement in the previous year.
The Scottish Conservatives have criticised the government for "shameful delays" to skin cancer treatment which puts "lives at risk".
Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: 'Under the SNP, far too many patients are not being diagnosed and treated in time for skin cancer.
'We know that these shameful delays harm a patients chance of recovery and puts lives at risk.
'The SNP's failure to improve cancer services has led to a shortage of vital pathology support and operating theatre access, while performance on melanoma imaging scans continues to decline.
'With Scotland recently enjoying a heatwave and many people enjoying the sun, it was a timely reminder of the dangers of skin cancer — and the critical need for rapid, effective treatment.
'That's why the Scottish Conservatives have set out common-sense proposals to prioritise early detection, promote healthy lifestyles and guarantee cancer services will have the resources they need to support patients.'
Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun and, in May, new data published by the charity Melanoma Focus showed 45% of Scottish people suffer from sunburn at least once every year.
There are around 17,500 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year and it is the sixth most common cancer in Scotland.
Melanoma is considered the most serious form of skin cancer because it has the highest mortality rate, and deaths from melanoma are projected to continue to rise.
The Scottish Government are committing £14 million for NHS Health Boards to improve cancer waiting times and £21 million targeted towards imaging.
Ministers have said this is in addition to an increase in funding to address pressures within chemotherapy services, reaching up to £10 million annually by 2027, with £6.6 million released in 2025/26.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: 'Whilst we are treating more patients with cancer on time, within both standards, compared to the same quarter 6 years ago, it is vital we do more to reduce cancer waiting times, especially for those cancers which are more aggressive.
'As we see an increasing number of eligible cancer referrals, that means we also see an increase in demand for diagnostics. That is why we have committed to a range of actions to tackle waits. This includes expanding to seven-day radiology services, increasing recruitment of staff, using mobile scanning units and reducing radiology backlogs so that 95% of referrals are seen within six weeks by March 2026."
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