§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to develop a screening programme for lung cancer in the UK; and what assessment he has made of the possible benefits of a screening programme on the mortality rates for lung cancer. [175709]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 25 May 2004] : The National Health Service Cancer Plan stated that the government would extend and roll out new screening programmes, where it is clear that screening reduces mortality. Currently, there is no such evidence for a screening tool for lung cancer. The United Kingdom National Screening Committee (NSC), which advises Ministers on all aspects of screening policy, considered data from an American study at its meeting in March 2003 and concluded that the findings reinforced the policy not to offer screening. At the July 2003 meeting of the NSC, it was noted that a major trial is currently under way in New York and the topic will be reviewed when that trial reports. The National Cancer Research Institute—established at our request in April 2001 to coordinate the national drive on cancer research—has now convened a strategic planning group on lung cancer, which is due to meet for the first time in the summer.