§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the annual costs to the national health service of surgery for oral cancer; and what assessment he has made of the potential savings from earlier diagnosis of oral cancer; [13768]
341W(2) what steps are being taken by his Department to (a) set targets for reducing oral cancer incidence and to reduce death rates from oral cancer and (b) launch an extensive nationwide public awareness campaign of oral cancer and its risks factors and a programme for dentists to aid early identification of high-risk individuals. [13807]
§ Mr. MaloneInformation on the annual cost of oral cancer is not available centrally. There are no plans at present to introduce set targets for reducing oral cancer morbidity or mortality rates. Dentists are trained in the early recognition of abnormalities in the mouth and will refer patients for the appropriate treatment. Oral cancer can result from excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption, the risks of which are widely publicised and recognised. The Chief Dental Officer chairs the National Advisory Group on Screening for Oral Cancer which was set up last October. The group seeks to co-ordinate various strands of work being undertaken in the field of detecting and preventing oral cancers.
Department of Health Medicines control agency NHS estates Grade (including professional equivalents) Posts advertised Number applied Posts advertised Number applied Posts advertised Number applied UG2 1 24 — — — — UG3 3 94 — — — — UG5 2 90 — — — — UG6 1 58 — — 6 258 UG7 4 106 2 104 1 71 NO 5 104 — — — — SEO — — 1 19 5 174 HEO — — 2 108 2 18 EO — — — — 3 220 Unit Manager 1 14 — — — — Groupworker 6 83 — — — — AO 7 377 4 58 — — AA — — 1 12 — — PES — — 1 27 — —