§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend screening programmes to forms of common cancers other than breast and cervical. [86573]
§ Ms BlearsThe NHS Cancer Plan stated that the government would extend and roll out new screening programmes, where it is clear that screening reduces mortality.
The National Health Service breast screening programmes is being expanded to invite all women aged 65 to 70 by 2004.
On 5 November, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health reaffirmed his commitment to introduce a national screening programme for colorectal cancer. The national cancer director will be working with all the relevant experts to determine the best way forward, taking account of experience from the current pilots.
We are committed to introducing a screening programme for prostate cancer if an when screening and treatment techniques are sufficiently well developed. There is no evidence from any country that screening for prostate cancer saves lives, but his is kept constantly under review by the national screening committee.