§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to commission research into the effect of aspirin in reducing the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and oesophagus. [103190]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 18 March 2003]: The Department has no plans at present to commission research into the effectiveness of aspirin in preventing cancers of the mouth, throat and oesophagus. For all three types of cancer the main risk factors are known to be smoking and heavy drinking, and efforts to reduce these are the main preventive measures. But the Department has of course noted with interest the report published in the British Journal of Cancer of a study on the effects of aspirin undertaken at the Institute of Pharmacological Research in Milan. The Department is working closely with its partners in the National Cancer Research Institute to plan strategically national research efforts on the prevention of cancer.