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Written question asked by Chi Onwurah (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 January 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 17 January 2025. It was answered by Andrew Gwynne (Labour) on Thursday, 23 January 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Screening

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the planned timetable is for the UK National Screening Committee review of its advice on screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Answer

The UK National Screening Committee last reviewed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 2018, and recommended against a national screening programme for three reasons:

  • the lack of an accurate test to detect the condition at an early stage;
  • it is not known if medicines for COPD are effective in people with mild symptoms; and
  • the best treatment for early COPD is to stop smoking, but people with few or no symptoms may not be willing to do this.

The Secretariat hopes to be able to commission a further evidence update within the next three years.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
24163
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Screening Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease UK National Screening Committee
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk