TWENTY-ONE people in the Valleyfield area will be given the devastating news that they have cancer this year.

But anxious villagers who believe they are at greater risk of the disease have now been told this average yearly rate is “no higher” than the rest of Fife.

A petition called on the Scottish Parliament to investigate and Douglas Chapman MP sought answers when contacted by a concerned constituent.

He told the Press: “This will hopefully provide peace of mind and reassurance for residents in these areas.

“These statistics show that the rate of cancer diagnoses among residents of Valleyfield, Culross and Torryburn areas are not statistically higher than anywhere else in Fife.”

Mr Chapman, the MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, received a detailed response from NHS Fife director of public health, Dr Margaret Hannah.

She explained: “Recent figures indicate that in Scotland, two out of five people will develop cancer in their lifetime.

“On average, each year in Valleyfield, Culross and Torryburn, there are currently 21 people newly diagnosed with cancer.

“This would equate to approximately two people each month learning that they had cancer.

“In Fife as a whole, the number is 2,184 people each year who are registered with a new diagnosis of cancer.

“The rate for people dying early from cancer (defined as under the age of 75) and the rate of cancer registrations are not statistically higher in the Valleyfield, Culross and Torryburn area compared to Fife as a whole.”

Mr Chapman added: “We discussed the issue and put our questions to the NHS which has responded brilliantly.

“I’d like to thank Dr Margaret Hannah for thoroughly researching this issue and providing such a comprehensive answer.”

The issue was raised in the Press in March following the launch of Kate Paton’s petition, which has attracted almost 1,000 signatures.

She was shocked when she moved back to her home town last year and realised how many people had the disease.

Her petition states: “The cancer rate in High Valleyfield and surrounding villages is far higher than normal.”

She started a petition asking Holyrood to investigate and told the Press: “The cancer rates in the surrounding area are absolutely atrocious.

“It seems not a week goes by when someone doesn’t die of cancer.”