Written question asked by Teresa Gorman (Conservative) on Wednesday, 28 October 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 November 1998. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 November 1998 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, If he will comment on the value for money of the breast screening programme. - Inc figs. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mrs. Gorman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the value for money of the breast screening programme. [57375] Mr. Hutton: The National Health Service Breast Screening Programme is based on the recommendations of the 1987 Forrest report. This report included an economic appraisal of the costs and benefits of breast screening, including a comparison against other health service activities. Over one million women aged 50-64 are screened each year in England at a cost of around £35 million. In 1996-7 over 6,500 cases of cancer were detected.

Secondary information