§ Mr. AmosTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the incidence of cancer in the United Kingdom in 1960, 1969 and 1989; and if he will make a statement on his assessment of the possible causes.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 20 February 1990]: There are over 200 different types of cancer. There are many different causes, but in the present state of knowledge tobacco is by far the commonest. The other information requested is as follows: 130W
Registration numbers and rates (per 100,000) of newly diagnosed cases of cancer1 and population by sex for 1961, 1969 and 1984. England and Wales Male Female 19612 Number 56,785 54,615.0 Population3 22,346 23,820.0 Rate4 254.12 229.28 1969 Number 77,661 73,804.0 Population3 23,752 25,074.8 Rate4 326.97 294.34 19842 Number 102,324 99,179.0 Population3 24,244 25,519.0 Rate4 422.06 388.65 1 International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes 9th revision 140–208. 2 1961 and 1984 are, respectively, the first and last years for which this information is available. 3 Population in thousands. 4 Rate per 100,000 population. Information on Scotland and Northern Ireland are the responsibilities of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.