§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give figures showing the incidence of cancer of the pancreas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MoyleThe numbers of new registrations of patients with cancer of the pancreas in England and Wales are as follows:
Males Females Persons 1962 1,670 1,400 3,070 1963 1,904 1,579 3,483 1964 2,039 1,661 3,700 1965 2,109 1,737 3,846 1966 2,087 1,756 3,843 1967 2,046 1,877 3,923 1968 2,336 1,845 4,181 1969 2,277 1,972 4,249 1970 2,412 2,002 4,414 Information for years after 1970 is not yet complete.
Several risk factors have been associated with pancreatic cancer. An association with cigarette smoking, at 10–15 per day, has been established and it has been shown that the median age for carcinoma of the pancreas is 10–15 years earlier in smokers than in non-smokers. The incidence of pancreatic cancer in patients with diabetes mellitus appears to be twice that in the general population. Diet may also be a contributory factor. Reasons for the increased incidence may include improved 173W diagnosis, more complete registration and an increased number of people in the age range most at risk.