As health secretary in 2012, Nicola Sturgeon launched the Detect Cancer Early Programme, saying she would improve the rate of key cancers found at the first stage by 25 per cent by the end of 2015.
However, a report published by ISD Scotland today shows the increase was just eight per cent.
In addition, not a single health board met the target of increasing by a quarter the number of patients with lung, breast and colorectal cancers at an early juncture.
The report also revealed a huge gulf in the detection times of cancer depending on deprivation.
It said those in Scotland’s poorest areas were most likely to be diagnosed at the most advanced stage, while for the wealthiest the most likely point for diagnosis was the earliest.
The document was also critical of data collection, pointing out that NHS Grampian is currently investigating why it doesn’t know the stage for 20 per cent of its breast cancer diagnoses.
Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Donald Cameron said:
“Nicola Sturgeon, amid great fanfare, announced the Scottish Government was going to increase the rate of cancers detected early by 25 per cent.
“Now it’s revealed the SNP fell woefully short on this target.
“She was the health secretary at the time, and now as First Minister must explain why this programme has been such a failure.
“It’s yet another example of the SNP making trumpeted announcements, only to be found wanting when the results come in.
“The Scottish Government really ought to reflect on these promises, because the hopes and spirits of cancer patients and their families can rest upon them.
“We all know how crucial it is that cancer is detected early, and the fact there has been a small increase – albeit well short of the target – is welcome.
“But this report shows, right across Scotland, there is still a considerable amount of work to do.”