HC Deb 19 May 1999 vol 331 cc375-6W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice and guidance is disseminated by his Department to the public on which lifestyle changes can improve their chances of avoiding cancer. [84236]

Ms Jowell

The Department provides advice to the public, in leaflets and through health education campaigns, on a number of lifestyle changes that can improve the chances of avoiding cancer. The areas covered include smoking, diet and nutrition, alcohol, physical activity, sexual behaviour and excessive sun exposure.

The health strategy Green Paper "Our Healthier Nation" proposed a national contract on cancer that specified action that can be taken at national, local and individual level to reduce the incidence of cancer. The contract reiterated advice on lifestyle changes. The corresponding White Paper will be published later this year.

The Department also provides funding for promotional material used within the United Kingdom for the "Europe Against Cancer" programme. A different cancer-related theme is chosen each year. The theme for 1998 was "Cancer in Men", and this year's theme is "Smoking Cessation in Young People Aged 16–19 Years".

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a national screening programme for bowel cancer; and if he will make a statement. [84244]

Mr. Hutton

The National Screening Committee, which advises United Kingdom Health Ministers about policy on screening, has recommended that evaluative pilots for bowel cancer screening be established to provide information about the public acceptability, feasibility and service implications of a national screening programme.

On 2 March, the Government announced the two pilot sites in Coventry and Warwickshire and Tayside, Grampian and Fife, which will start later this year and run for two years. The data from the pilots will inform decisions about whether to introduce a national bowel cancer screening programme.

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has to improve survival rates for cancer patients; and if he will make a statement. [84245]

Mr. Hutton

The work programme for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has yet to be agreed.

There are several health topics in which NICE is currently being invited to take an interest and a number of new and existing health technologies will be considered for the NICE' s work programme.