57. Countess of IVEAGHasked the Minister of Health whether his Department has more recent information than that contained in the report of Public Health of 1927 with regard to the mortality following on Wertheim's operation for the treatment of cancer of the cervix uteri; and whether he will publish the known facts respecting the comparative risk from radiological treatment and the results shown in cases which have been kept under continuous observation for some years?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The determination of the results of radiological treatment of uterine cancer, and their comparison with the results of surgical operations, are receiving continued attention, not only from the Departmental Committee on Cancer, but also from the health organisation of the League of Nations, which has arranged for the collection of international data on the subject. I am, however, advised that, in the nature of the case, it is not yet possible to make or publish effective comparisons of the risks or results as indicated in the question.
Countess of IVEAGHCan the Minister of Health indicate whether he has any comparative statistics based upon the experience in this country as to these methods of treatment?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThat is one of the difficulties. I am afraid that the radiological treatment has not been sufficiently long in use to enable us to make any definite conclusions.