§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the annual costs for the last five years for the surgical treatment of breast cancer under the National Health Service.
§ Mr. AlisonThis information is not available.
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the annual total numbers of patients treated for breast cancer under the National Health Service from 1966 to 1970, inclusive.
§ Mr. AlisonInformation in the precise form requested is not available, but the estimated numbers of in-patient spells due 183W to breast cancer*, in England and Wales were:
1966 41,170 1967 43,340 1968 38,520 1969 41,950 1970 41,120 * Includes malignant, benign and unspecified breast tumours.
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many special clinics for the screening of breast cancer exist in Great Britain; and, of the total, how many are within the National Health Service, and where they are located;
(2) what proposals he has for increasing and improving the facilities within the National Health Service for the detection and treatment of breast cancer.
§ Mr. AlisonThe diagnostic and treatment services for breast cancer in this country are of a very high standard. To secure further improvement, plans for increased co-ordination of cancer services in several hospital regions on a trial basis are under review. Also, a number of units specialising in the treatment of breast cancer are conducting studies of different methods of treatment. As regards screening for breast cancer, clinical examination of the breast or instruction in self-examination, or both, are offered to women at a number of local authority clinics when cervical smears are taken. I am informed that there are two clinics at which special facilities for breast cancer screening are available, both of which are outside the National Health Service. In addition the Royal Marsden Hospital provides a limited service in a special unit for the early detection of breast cancer. An expert working group on screening for breast cancer is collecting evidence on the value of screening and advising on studies of different methods of early detection.
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many operations for breast cancer have been performed annually under the National Health Service in the last five years; and how many of the patients have subsequently died.
184W
§ Mr. AlisonThe estimated figures for England and Wales are:
Operations* Deaths in Hospital following Operation 1966 28,220 360 1967 30,330 410 1968 28,250 260 1969 31,550 280 1970 32,820 420 It is not possible to identify the numbers of the patients undergoing operation who have subsequently died. Figures for 1971 are not yet available. * In-patient spells during which surgery was performed.
§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the annual figures for the number of deaths in the last five years known to have been due to breast cancer.
§ Mr. AlisonDeaths in England and Wales from breast cancer during the last five years were as follows:
1967 10,316 1968 10,280 1969 10,698 1970 10,750 1971 11,262