Susan Deacon: "Leap of faith"

The strategy will give frontline staff and patients direct responsibility for identifying the treatment gaps in their area.

Three regional cancer advisory groups will also be set up to improve local services and to advise on ending the postcode lottery of care.

Ms Deacon said: "Money alone will never be the solution to improving cancer services in Scotland.

"We need a partnership of common interests working together to ensure the talent, the commitment and the resources we have in Scotland are organised to get the best results for patients."

Frontline health care

Doctors, nurses and patient groups will be asked to spot local problems with preventing or treating cancer.

Their recommendations will be acted upon directly by a revamped Scottish Cancer Group.

The new approach will be backed up by new investment - half of the extra �80m announced last week for frontline health care.

Scientific studies indicate that Scotland's cancer rate is set to increase unless urgent action is taken.

It is not just about spending more, it's about spending better

Health Minister Susan Deacon

Ms Deacon said: "It is not just about spending more, it's about spending better.

"We want to make sure that those resources hit the ground, that they hit the target, and that they deliver real results for patients.

"In the last two years as health minister what I have heard time and time again from people on the frontline is: 'Give us a greater say. Let us decide how to make additional investment. Let us say how we can best improve services'.

"And what we are saying today is a radical step forward and a tremendous leap of faith.

"We are saying 'we want to give you that greater say'."

Improved working practices

The British Medical Association pledged to drive forward the new clinician-led cancer plan.

Dr John Garner, Chairman of the BMA's Scottish Council, said: "Almost every family in Scotland has experienced the distress of a loved one suffering from cancer.

"Today's plan recognises that we must improve the cancer care available in Scotland through a combination of more resources and improved working practices.

"Doctors are eager to drive forward efforts to improve the care cancer patients receive. This is about more than just spending more, it also means putting clinicians in control and giving them the tools to improve every cancer patient's chances of survival."

David Dunlop: "Disappointed"

David Dunlop, a consultant oncologist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, said he was optimistic that there had finally been a plan put together.

But he said: "I am somewhat disappointed at the amount of money that seems to have been earmarked to underpin this plan.

"The amount of money, �40m, is about half that per head of population of cancer patients as was promised to underpin the England and Wales cancer plan.

"I am sure that this amount of money will not rectify the dire problems we have at present."