INCIDENCE OF BOWEL CANCER

Early day motion 916, tabled 5 March 1998 by Lord Maclennan of Rogart (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 125 members.

That this House notes with concern that cancer is now the number one killer disease in the UK and that bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer with some 18,000 deaths caused by it each year, that while it is rare in those aged under 40 years, age-specific rates rise continuously and steeply after the age of 50, that research indicates that while it is likely that genetic factors are involved in the development of bowel cancer the majority of cases occur sporadically and that lifestyle factors are likely to be highly significant, and that leading international experts agree that a diet rich in cereal fibre is protective against bowel cancer; congratulates the Cancer Research Campaign and Kellogg's on the joint initiative to raise awareness of the incidence of bowel cancer in this country and highlight the role a fibre-rich diet can play in helping to protect individuals simply and cost-effectively against this disease; and believing that prevention is better than cure, urges the Government to support this initiative and make the reduction of bowel cancer a priority.

Signatures by party: Labour 70, Liberal Democrat 34, Conservative 9, Labour/Co-operative 6, Plaid Cymru 3, UUP 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.