HC Deb 04 June 2003 vol 406 c489W
Mr. Paterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to increase detection rates for(a) cancer of the bowel and (b) cancer of the colon; [116344]

(2) what the detection rate is for (a) cancer of the bowel, (b) cancer of the colon and (c) all other cancers. [116343]

Ms Blears

Detection rates for cancer are not collected centrally. In 1999, 28,4511 cases of colorectal (colon and rectum) cancer were diagnosed. The total number of all cases of cancer diagnosed in 1999 was 221,064.

In a speech to the Britain Against Cancer Conference on 5 November 2002, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health reaffirmed his commitment to introduce a national screening programme for bowel cancer and to improve services for symptomatic patients. To take this work forward, the National Cancer Director launched the national health service bowel cancer programme on 4 February 2003. The programme has three main strands: developing a national screening programme, streamlining the patient pathway for symptomatic patients, and improving treatment.

This work will be underpinned by expansion and modernisation of the work force, and a communications strategy for professionals and the general public. 1 Office for National Statistics Bulletin, September 2002.

Diana Organ

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been allocated to cancer services in the 2003–06 Local Delivery Plan for the Avon, Gloucester and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority Area. [1158441

Ms Blears

The information is shown in the table.

£ millions
Cancer service allocation
2003–04 1.1
2004–05 1.5
2005–06 1.2

These figures are dependent on the strategic health authority's NHS Bank application.

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