§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the present arrangements for publicising the case for patients to undergo cancer screening in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythCervical cancer screening in Scotland is presently mainly undertaken as part of the normal medical care of women attending ante-natal clinics, post-natal clinics and family planning and well women clinics. A substantial proportion of all tests are carried out by general practitioners some of whom operate a call/recall system for their own patients. Women are advised about the test by general medical practitioners or other professional staff.
I announced on 10 December 1987 that a comprehensive cervical cancer screening service is to be made available to all women in Scotland between 20 and 60 years and the Scottish Health Education Group will mount a suitable publicity campaign at the appropriate time.
I also announced on 20 October 1987 our intention to establish centres throughout Scotland to provide a comprehensive nationwide breast cancer screening programme for all women between 50 and 64 years by 1991. The first four centres, in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee, will come into operation during the course of this year. Again SHEG will be preparing publicity material for this programme.