§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that adequate facilities are available for cervical cancer tests for women over the age of 35 years.
§ Mr. RossIn general, the existing facilities are coping with current demand from women of all ages. There is sufficient spare capacity to cope with any likely increased demand.
§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women died of cancer of the womb in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. RossThe information is set out in the following table:
Year Number of deaths 1964 … … … 434 1965 … … … 415 1966 … … … 411 1967 … … … 431 1968 … … … 398* * Provisional.
§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what increase has taken place in the last five years in facilities for cervical cancer testing; and what is the nature of the educational propaganda designed to encourage the use of such facilities.
§ Mr. RossWhile the pattern of provision varies according to local circumstances, the cervical cytology services have expanded in all regions of Scotland, the number of women examined in 107W 1967 being more than double the number examined in 1964. It is expected that statistics for 1968, when available, will show a further increase.
General publicity is a matter for the local health authority in the first place. Various media are used such as advertisements in daily newspapers and in public transport, and talks given to women's organisations. Family doctors also have a substantial part to play in persuading their patients.
§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of women who have had cervical cancer tests in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. RossThe number of women who have been examined for cervical cancer in the years 1964–67 is given below. The statistics for 1968 are not yet available.
Year Number of Women Examined 1964 … … … 64,457 1965 … … … 83,414 1966 … … … 125,890 1967 … … … 143,105