§ Mr. TredinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into prostate cancer; and if he will make a statement. [11934]
§ Mr. BoatengThe national health service research and development programme's health technology assessment programme has undertaken two studies into prostate cancer. These are
a systematic review of detection, management and screening for prostatic carcinoma, at a cost of approximately £54,000;a review of evidence on the cost-effectiveness of different strategies for detecting and managing prostatic carcinoma, at an approximate cost of £13,000.These two studies have recently reported.
The next round of priorities for the HTA programme have been set and one of these is treatments for the spectrum of prostate cancers likely to be identified by a screening programme.
The Department's policy research programme is currently undertaking a systematic review of minimally invasive therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia and 618W cancer. The study is being undertaken at the university of Newcastle between 1 August 1996 and 31 July 1997 at a total estimated cost of £39,491.
Another study, a mortality study of cadmium exposed workers with particular reference to lung and prostatic cancer, was completed last year and has reported. The study was undertaken at Imperial college between 1 October 1994 and 31 May 1996 at a total cost of £32,070.
§ Mr. TredinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent in the last year for which figures are available on the treatment and cure of prostate cancer. [11935]
§ Mr. BoatengExpenditure on prostate cancer cannot be identified separately. Expenditure on cancer services generally is estimated to account for approximately 7 per cent. of national health service resources.