Written question asked by Paul Marsden (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 April 2001. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 April 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what factors underlay the Government's estimate of the number of lives that will be saved from the Government's 10 year Cancer Plan target; and if he will make a statement. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlay the Government's estimate of the number of lives that will be saved from the Government's 10-year cancer plan target; and if he will make a statement. [156564] Yvette Cooper: The "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation" White Paper published in July 1999 included a target to reduce the death rate from cancer in people under 75 by at least a fifth. Based on the assumption of steady improvement towards the target and the population characteristics present in 1997, it was estimated that achievement of the target would be associated with up to 100,000 lives saved over the period 1997 to 2010. Independent expert advice at this time suggested that 40 per cent. of the target reduction could come from improvements or extensions to screening programmes and better treatment, and 60 per cent. of the target reduction could be achieved through primary prevention such as reductions in smoking and improvements in fruit and vegetable consumption.

Secondary information