§ Mr. PriorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will estimate the annual cost to the National Health Service of screening all men above the age of 30 years for prostate cancer; [64341]
(2) if he will list the cost to the National Health Service of (a) a PSA blood test, (b) screening for cervical cancer and (c) screening for breast cancer; [64337]
(3) what is the annual cost to the National Health Service of screening women for (a) cervical cancer and (b) breast cancer. [64342]
§ Mr. HuttonThere is currently no reliable information available to make an estimate of costs for a prostate cancer screening programme.
It is estimated that the annual cost of the National Health Service breast screening programme is approximately £38 million. In 1996–97, 1.1 million women were screened, giving an approximate cost of £34.50 per woman screened.
The National Audit Office has estimated the total annual cost of the NHS cervical screening programme to be £132 million. This includes payments to general practitioners for achieving target coverage levels. In 1996–97, 3.8 million women were screened giving an approximate cost of £34 per woman screened.