HC Deb 25 February 1999 vol 326 cc399-401W
Mr. Alasdair Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each year between 1974 and the latest available date, the incidence of leukaemia ICD(9) 204 to 208 in children aged 0 to four years in Dumfries and Galloway (i) in total, (ii) by electoral ward and (iii) by sex; and how many cases would have been predicted in Dumfries and Galloway during that period on the basis of national rates for these diseases. [72329]

Mr. Galbraith

The table shows numbers of incident cases of leukaemia in children aged 0–4 years resident in the Dumfries and Galloway Health Board area in each of the years 1974–96, and the numbers of cases which would be expected on the basis of incidence rates for Scotland as a whole. Because of the small number of cases overall it is not possible to provide figures broken down by electoral ward without jeopardising the confidentiality of individuals.

From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Observed and expected cases of leukaemia in children aged 0–4 years in the Dumfries and Galloway Health Board area in 1974–1996
Males Females
Observed Expected Observed Expected
1974 0 .39 0 .18
1975 0 .34 0 .28
1976 2 .49 1 .24
1977 0 .23 0 .23
1978 1 A6 0 .18
1979 0 .23 0 .33
1980 0 .41 0 .23
1981 0 .37 0 .13
1982 0 .21 0 .27
1983 0 .29 0 .25
1984 1 .40 2 .24
1985 0 .24 0 .16
1986 0 .30 0 .19
1987 0 .35 0 .53
1988 0 .41 1 .27
1989 0 .42 1 .27
1990 0 .39 0 .33
1991 0 .33 0 .22
1992 1 .46 0 .30
1993 0 .38 0 .25
1994 0 .49 0 .36
1995 1 .43 0 .17
1996 0 .33 0 .14
Total 6 8.38 5 5.76

Mr. Alasdair Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of infant leukaemia (ICD(9)) 204 to 208 in children aged 0 to one year)(a) were reported in Scotland in each six-month period from 1974 to the latest available date and (b) would have been predicted during that period on the basis of average rates; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for discrepancies between the two. [72331]

Mr. Galbraith

The table sets out the information sought. Geographical variations and time trends in the incidence of cancer are monitored continuously by the Scottish Cancer Intelligence Unit (SCIU). Trends in the incidence of infant and childhood leukaemia in Scotland and other European countries are being evaluated in the European Childhood Leukaemia-Lymphoma Incidence Study (ECLIS), which is co-ordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and in which SCIU is participating. As will be seen, the total number of observed cases over the period is consistent with the number expected.

From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Observed and expected numbers of leukaemia in infants aged less than one year in Scotland in six month intervals of time from January 1974 to December 1996 Both sexes
Year Month Observed Expected
1974 January to June 1 1.06
July to December 0 1.06
1975 January to June 1 1.02
July to December 0 1.02
1976 January to June 0 1.00
July to December 3 1.00
1977 January to June 1 0.92
July to December 0 0.92
1978 January to June 1 0.94
July to December 1 0.94
1979 January to June 0 0.99
July to December 0 0.99
1980 January to June 2 1.02
July to December 0 1.02
1981 January to June 2 1.03
July to December 2 1.03
1982 January to June 0 1.00
July to December 0 1.00
1983 January to June 1 0.98
July to December 0 0.98
1984 January to June 3 0.96
July to December 0 0.96
1985 January to June 0 0.98
July to December 1 0.98
1986 January to June 0 1.00
July to December 0 1.00
1987 January to June 3 0.98
July to December 3 0.98
1988 January to June 3 1.00
July to December 1 1.00
1989 January to June 0 0.97
July to December 2 0.97
1990 January to June 1 0.96
July to December 1 0.96
1991 January to June 0 0.99
July to December 0 0.99
1992 January to June 3 1.00
July to December 0 1.00
1993 January to June 2 0.96
July to December 1 0.96

Observed and expected numbers of leukaemia in infants aged less than one year in Scotland in six month intervals of time from January 1974 to December 1996 Both sexes
Year Month Observed Expected
1994 January to June 0 0.95
July to December 1 0.95
1995 January to June 1 0.91
July to December 1 0.91
1996 January to June 3 0.88
July to December 0 0.88
Total: 1974–1996 45 45

Source:

Cancer Surveillance

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