§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to improve(a) public awareness of and (b) treatment of prostate cancer. [27494]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsAdvice on the early signs of prostate cancer is provided in a leaflet available from the Health Promotion Wales and the NHS.
The introduction of prostate cancer screening has been considered by the Government's National Screening Committee. They concluded that current evidence does not support a national screening programme for prostate cancer in the United Kingdom. Current screening technologies (including the PSA Test) have a limited accuracy that could lead to a positive result for those without disease. Follow-up procedures could thus cause unnecessary harm to healthy individuals.
There is at yet no national consensus of medical opinion about the correct management of early localised prostatic cancers. In Wales, specialists in prostate cancer are working together to develop standards and guidelines as part of the work of our Cancer Services Co-ordinating Group (CSCG). This work, which will draw on the studies world-wide, will ensure that we have a high quality consistent service for men across Wales based on the best clinical evidence. During the course of 1998 CSCG plan to issue in Wales standards for urological cancers which will include prostate cancer. The development of guidelines will ensure that all patients should have access to appropriate diagnostic and treatment facilities. When these guidelines are published steps will be taken to ensure dissemination to the NHS in Wales.