§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to set up regular screening for women at high risk of ovarian cancer. [28639]
§ Mr. SackvilleWe have no immediate plans. A research programme at the Royal Hospitals national health service trust is currently being evaluated in a randomised trial involving 120,000 women which626W incorporates tumour markers as a primary screen followed by ultrasonography as a secondary test in women with abnormal tumour marker results. Another study is using ultrasound as a primary screening test. Any screening test must have high sensitivity and specificity and we welcome well designed trials of new and existing screening techniques which will help us decide upon appropriate national policies. When an effective test is available, we will consider the establishment of a national screening programme.