§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people died of lung cancer in 2001; and what percentage of the cancer research budget is spent on lung cancer research. [86574]
§ Ms BlearsThere were 26,922 deaths from lung cancer in England in 2001. The recent National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) report, "Strategic Analysis 2002", analysed most of the directly-funded cancer research of government and charity funders. The analysis revealed that 60 per cent. of research spend was relevant to all tumour sites. The other 40 per cent. was relevant to specific tumour sites. Approximately 3 per cent. of the site-specific research was on lung cancer.
The NCRI has identified lung cancer as an area that might need more attention. We will be working with our research funding partners through the NCRI to fully understand the reasons for this and consider any actions that might be required.