Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kwasi Kwarteng and Matt Hancock

Tuesday 23rd October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Kwasi Kwarteng (Spelthorne) (Con)]

11. What steps he is taking to increase the rate of early diagnosis of cancer.

[The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Matt Hancock)]

Britain is world leading at treating cancer when it is discovered, but we do not diagnose it early enough, so we will radically overhaul our screening programmes, roll out rapid diagnostic centres for people with early symptoms, and expand mobile lung screening units. Our ambition is to ensure that three quarters of cancers are diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 by 2028, up from half today.

[Matt Hancock]

Yes. Focusing on early diagnosis will help to save lives. Indeed, the cancer survival rates have never been higher than they are now. About 7,000 people who are alive today would not have been had mortality rates stayed the same as they were in 2010. However, we want to use the most cutting-edge technologies in order to save more lives.

[Kwasi Kwarteng]

In respect of early screening, how does my right hon. Friend expect the measures that he has introduced to move the service forward in the way that we want to see?

[Matt Hancock]

Absolutely central to this is ensuring that we address cancer at the earliest possible opportunity. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the greater is the likelihood of survival, so we want to see more cancers diagnosed earlier across the board.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kwasi Kwarteng and Matt Hancock

Tuesday 24th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Matt Hancock]

I value every person who works in the NHS and in social care, because everybody plays a part in improving the wellbeing and the health of the nation. I care deeply about that. On the question of sleep-in shifts, I saw the decision by the court and I have already had conversations with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which leads on this regulation, to ensure that we can get the rules right for the future.

[Kwasi Kwarteng (Spelthorne) (Con)]

10. What plans the Government have to improve support for the children of alcohol-dependent parents.