§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new diagnoses of cancer of the prostate were made in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe latest available information is shown in the table: 855W
Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of cancer of the prostate (ICD 185)1 for England and Wales. 1983–1987 Number 1983 9,127 1984 9,524 1985 9,513 1986 10,180 1987 10,837 1 International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her policy on screening for prostatic cancer.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe key aim of any screening programme must be to secure a demonstrable improvement in health by increasing length of life and enhancing quality of life. There is, as yet, no evidence to suggest that this would be achieved in relation to prostate cancer. The Department of Health is pursuing research in screening through its own centrally commissioned programme and through the new national health service research and development programme. A copy of the Chief Medical Officer's speech to a recentBritish Medical Journal conference setting out current policy implementation issues for screening in the NHS will be placed in the Library.
§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average five year survival rate after diagnosis of prostatic cancer.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe average survival rate after diagnosis of prostatic cancer in England and wales is 43 per cent. —based on cancers registered in 1981, the latest year for which a five-year span is available.