§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) What research her Department is conducting into high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell treatment as a treatment for breast cancer; and if she will make a statement;
(2)What reports she has sought from the United States of America about the effectiveness of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell treatment as a treatment for breast cancer; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department is not conducting research into the use of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support but we are aware of research both in this country and abroad. In some quite rate tumours, the technique of peripheral stem cell harvesting and high-dose chemotherapy is becoming well established. It is however, a relatively new procedure and for the most common cancers, treatment should be given only as part of a properly designed clinical trial.