Chamber
Plenary, 14 Sep 2000
14 Sep 2000 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Prostate Cancer
I, too, commend Maureen Macmillan on securing this members' business debate. We have won the battle to raise awareness of breast cancer; we have the same battle to win on prostate cancer.
Routine screening should be available. I was contacted by the Aberdeen and north-east prostate cancer support group with the same statistics that have just been quoted about the effectiveness of a screening programme in Austria. Screening for prostate cancer could lead to earlier detection of tumours, before symptoms present themselves. Long-term survival increases with early detection and treatment.
I commend the motion and hope that we can do for prostate cancer the good work that has been done for breast cancer.
Routine screening should be available. I was contacted by the Aberdeen and north-east prostate cancer support group with the same statistics that have just been quoted about the effectiveness of a screening programme in Austria. Screening for prostate cancer could lead to earlier detection of tumours, before symptoms present themselves. Long-term survival increases with early detection and treatment.
I commend the motion and hope that we can do for prostate cancer the good work that has been done for breast cancer.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
SNP
I wish members an early good afternoon. The first item of business is a members' business debate on motion S1M-1122, in the name of Maureen Macmillan, on scr...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament supports the routine screening of middle aged men for early indications of prostate cancer, a disease which causes the second highest num...
Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
One of our most important jobs as elected representatives is to highlight important issues that struggle to get attention. I am therefore very pleased to hav...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
Four members have asked to speak from the floor. That will be possible if they keep their remarks to three and a half minutes.
Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
In a previous existence, I worked as a clinical biochemist in the national health service so I am aware of the difficulties that are associated with some of ...
Nick Johnston (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I thank Maureen Macmillan for raising this subject, and congratulate her on securing the debate, especially during this special week.Like many cancers, prost...
Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD):
LD
I, too, commend Maureen Macmillan on securing this members' business debate. We have won the battle to raise awareness of breast cancer; we have the same bat...
Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I thank Maureen Macmillan for lodging the motion.We recognise that people sometimes fall through the social work and community care nets. In my experience, t...
Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
I add my congratulations to Maureen Macmillan on securing the debate. She is an assiduous pursuer of members' business and has touched on many issues that im...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
I call Susan Deacon to respond to the debate on behalf of the Executive. Minister, you have quite a lot of time—about 14 minutes. You may speak until the Fir...
The Minister for Health and Community Care (Susan Deacon):
Lab
I am grateful to Maureen Macmillan for raising prostate cancer as a matter for members' business. I am also grateful for the speeches of other members in the...
Mrs Margaret Ewing:
SNP
I do not claim to be a technical expert on the subject, but the information that I have received states that, although a PSA screening result of level 4 is a...
Susan Deacon:
Lab
The issue of PSA is important and I shall go on to say more about that in a moment. However, while Mrs Ewing was speaking, some of her colleagues were shakin...
Brian Adam:
SNP
Will the minister take an intervention?
Dr Richard Simpson (Ochil) (Lab):
Lab
Will the minister take an intervention?
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
We will take Brian Adam first.
Brian Adam:
SNP
I appreciate the difficulties that are associated with the PSA test. Will the minister indicate how the Executive hopes to improve diagnostic capability for ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
Dr Simpson, did you want to intervene on the same point?
Dr Simpson:
Lab
Yes.
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
We will take both points in that case.
Dr Simpson:
Lab
I apologise to members for arriving late. I had another meeting. I congratulate the minister on her exposition of a very difficult subject.Will the minister ...
Susan Deacon:
Lab
I am grateful to both members for their comments. I fear, however, that we have been lulled into a false sense of security about the time. Having been given ...