§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend routine screening in the NHS. [135847]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 1 November 2000]: The National Health Service Plan made a clear commitment to extending routine screening.
Women aged 65–70 will be offered routine breast screening; cervical screening technologies will be improved; and colorectal cancer screening will be introduced should the current pilot studies demonstrate its effectiveness. The United Kingdom National Screening Committee will continue its review of prostate cancer screening.
By 2004, there will also be new screening programmes for women and children, including equitable, high quality antenatal screening, screening for haemoglobinopathies and neonatal deafness.