Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 3 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 November 2003. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Thursday, 20 November 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much has been allocated by his Department to cancer prevention in each of the last three years; and how much was spent in each year. - Inc no figures.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been allocated by his Department to cancer prevention in each of the last three years; and how much was spent in each year. [136731] Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department funds an extensive health improvement and prevention programme aimed chiefly at preventing cancer and coronary heart disease, which are the two main causes of mortality. Funding for programmes on tobacco control and smoking cessation, improving nutrition and diet and increasing physical activity all contribute not only to cancer prevention, but also to preventing coronary heart disease. It is not possible to identify the amount of funding in these programmes that contributes solely to cancer prevention.

Secondary information