§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans his Department has to introduce a co-ordinated national programme of education in the early identification of oral cancer; and if he will make a statement; [27016]
(2) what steps are being taken by his Department to reduce the number of deaths from oral cancer; and if he will make a statement; [26982]
(3) what plans he has to ensure that dental examinations include a systematic soft tissue screening for oral cancer; and if he will make a statement; [26984]
(4) what steps are being taken by his Department to raise pubic awareness of oral cancer and its risk factors; and if he will make a statement; [27014]
(5) what research his Department is currently funding into oral cancer; and if he will make a statement; [27017]
(6) what plans he has to include oral cancer targets on the "The Health of the Nation" programme; and if he will make a statement. [27015]
§ Mr. HoramAll oral examinations include examination of both hard and soft tissue. Dentists are trained in the early recognition of abnormalities in the mouth. Oral cancer can result from excessive alcohol or tobacco consumption, the risks of which are widely publicised and recognised. There are no plans at present to introduce set targets for reducing oral cancer morbidity or mortality rates. The chief dental officer chairs the national advisory group on screening for oral cancer which was set up last October. The group co-ordinates the detecting and preventing of oral cancers. The national health service national cancer research and development programme commissioned in 1995 a systematic review of the early natural history of certain cancers, including oral cancer, where there was potential for screening to reduce mortality. This research item was one of 25 priority areas ratified by the NHS Central Research and Development Committee. The systematic review is being undertaken by the cancer screening evaluation unit based at the Institute of Cancer Research. It will take approximately one year.