§ Mr. Burns:To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the use of proteomics to improve the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis. [127434]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson:The Government welcome any new technology that would improve the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis. Before any new technology is introduced we must be sure that it is safe and effective and that quality standards can be maintained.
The use of proteomics for breast cancer diagnosis is a new technique and large-scale studies have not taken place. If these studies prove proteomics to be effective, then the technique may be referred to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). The use of the technique in the national health service will be based on recommendations by NICE.