§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Department of Health's decision not to screen for prostate cancer excludes selective screening even where research findings show that a particular group is at much higher risk of developing the condition. [HL2768]
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonPractitioners are free to test patients, including those who have evidence of a family history of prostate cancer. The key aim of any screening programme must be to secure a demonstrable improvement in health by increasing the length and quality of life. The National Screening Committee has advised that there is, as yet, no evidence that this would be achieved in relation to prostate cancer. The Government's policy, therefore, is to encourage early reporting and to ensure rapid referral of any patients with symptoms.