§ 14. Mr. Joyce Butlerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many well-woman and other clinics are now screening women for breast cancer; and what progress is being made in research to provide an adequate breast-cancer screening programme for all women at risk.
§ Dr. OwenExamination of women for breast cancer is widely available from general practitioners and in hospitals and clinics run by area health authorities.
On the advice of the Joint Working Group on Breast Cancer Screening, the Health Departments for England, Scotland and Wales are financing four research projects on breast cancer screening, but they will take some time to complete.
§ Mrs. ButlerAs so many women still die of this disease and as many others live in dread of it, whereas a dramatic decrease of 33 per cent. in the mortality rate of the over-50s has been shown by a recent study in America, will my hon. Friend keep up the pressure on his Department to ensure that it gives adequate priority to the helpful advances in early detection and early treatment?
§ Dr. OwenWe are aware of the work that has been done in America, and particularly in New York. My hon. Friend is right; 17,759 new cases of breast cancer were identified in 1969. This is a major public health problem. This Government will put resources into preventive medicine.