§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the amount of public information available on cancer. [63713]
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the action which his Department is taking to increase public awareness of the availability of cancer services. [63466]
§ Mr. HuttonWe are committed to providing high quality, patient-centred care to all cancer patients and have introduced a package of measures to increase the amount of public information available on cancer. Patients need clear information to be fully involved in treatment decisions.
Cancer is a priority area in the Green Paper "Our Healthier Nation" and in conjunction with the Health Education Authority, we have produced information leaflets about early detection and life style factors relevant to cancer. In addition as part of the implementation of the new National Health Service "Information for Health", we are developing a cancer information strategy which will improve the information available to patients and the public. The voluntary sector also has a key role to play in increasing public information available on cancer. We will continue to work closely with them to ensure that patient needs are identified.