Cancer specialists have appealed for better radiology services in Scotland after figures which show that patients are dying prematurely from the disease.

The first breakdown of figures for radiotherapy treatment in Scotland will be published officially by the Royal College of Radiologists in three weeks time.

But the statistics, obtained by BBC Scotland, reveal that a lack of equipment and staff means unacceptably long waiting times for treatment.

Figures show how Scotland has just over half the number of radiotherapy machines required for the size of population.

This means that despite a recommended waiting time for treatment of two weeks, the average wait is six weeks.

The plea for more cash came on Thursday - the same day as Health Minister Susan Deacon announced nearly �500,000 of new investment for cancer research.

The money will be used to support clinicians and academics with more research equipment.

Ms Deacon said: "This new investment shows the Scottish Executive's continuing determination to tackle cancer in all its forms.

"That means more investment in ground-breaking research. Better prevention measures, more comprehensive screening systems, quality staff and more equipment."

"An expert advisory committee is looking at the procurement of clinical cancer equipment.

"Outdated equipment will be replaced, waiting times reduced and it is likely that we will see an increase in specialist doctors in Scottish cancer care and treatment."

Survival chances lessened

Despite Ms Deacon's announcement, doctors continue to warn that certain types of tumours can double during a short period and a delay in giving radiotherapy lessens the chances of survival.

Oncologist Professor Stan Kay, of the Beatson Institute at Glasgow's Western Infirmary, said: "If you are a woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and you have been told you will have to wait six weeks before having radiotherapy then that cannot help.

"Having to wait will allow cancers to grow which will make a difference in the long run."

Carole Horne, from cancer charity Tak Tent, agreed with the professor saying delays caused inevitable worries.

"Three years down the road things might be better, but that doesn't help people being given the diagnosis tomorrow," she said.

The Scottish Tories' health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon MSP said Ms Deacon had shown "a stunning level of complacency".

"Rather than take action she has rushed out an announcement that the relatively small sum of half a million pounds will be spent on cancer research while giving bland assurances that all will be well in three years time," she added.

Eight week wait

The delays in the service are even more acute in Glasgow where there can be delays of eight weeks.

The evidence is that while urgent referrals are dealt with within days, it is at the expense of other patients.

Staffing levels are also causing concern. Between 1992 and 1997, the workload for radiographers increased by 5%, while staffing levels fell by 4%.

The authors say nothing has changed since, except that services have come under even more pressure.

These revelations come less than three weeks after a study by the Cancer Research Campaign showed that almost half of Scotland's population can expect to contract cancer at some point during their lifetime.

Those statistics, blamed partly on a poor diet and smoking, render the latest report all the more worrying, despite the fact that less people are actually dying of cancer than before.