The new statistic was announced on World Cancer Day to highlight the urgent need to improve public health and cancer services so they can cope with a growing and ageing population, and the looming demands for better diagnostics, treatments, and earlier diagnosis.

Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP, Ms Jamieson, lent her support after attending a parliamentary event held by Cancer Research UK to mark World Cancer Day and encourage MPs to support the charity's Cross Cancer Out campaign.

She said: “We cannot underestimate the devastating impact that cancer will have on people in Kilmarnock and Loudoun, both now and in the future.

"The good news is that Cancer Research UK is making huge advances in the battle against the disease. But with more than three people diagnosed with cancer every hour in Scotland, and with this number set to rise, it’s vital that we detect cancer earlier.

"In my constituency alone, there are around 2,332 cancer cases diagnosed every year, with 1,173 deaths. Early diagnosis and the best quality treatment can help us improve those figures and make a real difference to cancer patients’ chances of survival.

"That is why I am backing the Cross Cancer Out campaign. It is clear that MPs and politicians across Scotland have a crucial role to play in helping to beat cancer sooner. The political drive to beat the disease must match the pace of progress in research.” Layla Theiner, Head of Public Affairs at Cancer Research UK, added: “The increase in the lifetime risk of getting cancer is primarily because more people are surviving into old age, when the disease is more common. We can’t avoid growing older, but we can prevent a crisis in the future by taking action now to improve cancer survival across the UK.

“Without increased political support we could see the death toll from cancer rising and so early diagnosis and better treatments must be key priorities if we are to save more lives.

“That’s why we’re calling on Westminster MPs and parliamentary candidates from all political parties to commit to Cross Cancer Out and help ensure no-one’s life is cut short by this devastating disease."