Prostate Cancer

HC Deb 04 June 1996 vol 278 cc379-81W

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve prostate cancer screening; and if he will make a statement. [30800]

Mr. Horam

We have no plans to introduce a national NHS screening programme for prostate cancer. The key aim of any screening programme must be to secure a demonstrable improvement in health by increasing length of life and enhancing quality of life. There is, as yet, no evidence that this would be achieved in relation to prostate cancer. The Department is aware of the need to assess the value of available techniques for the early detection of prostate cancer. Several research projects are currently being undertaken.

Although there is no national screening programme for prostate cancer, individual patients can be tested on request. This may be necessary where there is a family history of the disease. Some general practitioners offer patients testing as part of a general health check.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of prostate cancer have been identified in the United Kingdom in each of the past five years; what analysis he has made of these figures; and if he will make a statement. [31146]

Mr. Horam

The number of cases of prostate cancer registered in England and Wales were published in "Cancer Statistics Registrations", series MBI Nos. 19–1986, 20–1987, 21–1988 and 22–1989, and in the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys "Monitor" MBI 95/1–1990. Copies of all five publications are available in the Library.

Questions relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of NHS patients suffering from prostate cancer who have been treated with brachytherapy combined with external beam radiation; and if he will make a statement. [31147]

Mr. Horam

This information is not available centrally.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy with regard to making a prostate specific antigen test generally available at an early date to people suspected of suffering from prostate problems; and what plans he has to introduce a regular screening test for all men of vulnerable age groups. [31149]

Mr. Horam

The Department is aware of the need to assess the value of available techniques for the early detection of prostate cancer, including the prostatic specific antigen test. The Department of Health's standing group on health technology assessment has identified prostate cancer as one of the priority areas for health technology assessment and has commissioned work to assess the cost-effectiveness, clinical benefit and comparative value of measurement of PSA in serum and transrectal ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of prostatic cancer. The results of this work should be available shortly.

Although there is no national screening programme for prostate cancer available to national health service patients, individual patients can be tested on request. This may be necessary where there is a family history of the disease. Where appropriate, general practitioners can offer some patients testing as part of a general health check.

We have no plans currently to introduce a national NHS screening programme for prostate cancer. The key aim of any screening programme must be to secure a demonstrable improvement in health by increasing length of life and enhancing quality of life. There is, as yet, no evidence that this would be achieved in relation to prostate cancer.