Written question asked by Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Thursday, 7 November 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many and what proportion of cancer patients were comorbid in each year since 1998. - Inc fact that Department does not centrally hold information.

Answer: Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of cancer patients are comorbid; and (a) how many and (b) what proportion of cancer patients there were in each year since 1998. [78950] Ms Blears: The Department does not centrally hold information on co-morbidity of cancer patients. In some instances this information will be held locally for research and/or public health purposes though it is not generally published.

Secondary information