§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now establish a national campaign for the purpose of promoting early detection and prevention of cancer; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI shall be asking the Standing Sub-Committee on Cancer to look at the whole question of health education in the cancer field when it has finished its current work on acute services. In the meantime, I am seeking its views on the establishment of a national cancer education campaign. I shall also take an early opportunity of discussing with the voluntary bodies the part they can play in educating the public about the prevention and early detection of cancer. I should, however, emphasise the need for sound scientific evidence of the benefits which can be achieved by early detection before any extensive campaign is mounted for its promotion.
I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the speech I made at the opening of the recent international seminar on the prevention and detection of cancer; a copy has been placed in the Library.