BREAST CANCER

Early day motion 329, tabled 15 February 1999 by Ian Gibson (Labour). Signed by 129 members.

That this House notes that breast cancer is the commonest form of cancer affecting UK women; that up to 10 per cent. of breast cancers are thought to be the result of genetic mutations; and that with no proven preventative therapy available, up to five hundred women, with a family history of breast cancer, are having their healthy breasts removed as a preventative measure; believes that the collection of data on such operations is a prerequisite to sound medical advice; is deeply concerned that no comprehensive record of these operations is being made; and calls on the Government to support the honourable Member for Lewisham Deptford's Prophylactic Mastectomy Registry Bill, which will have its Second Reading on 26th February, and which will establish a UK-wide register of all women who undergo preventative mastectomy, enabling consultants, over time, to give women a precise account of the effectiveness of this radical surgery.

Signatures by party: Labour 112, Labour/Co-operative 7, Liberal Democrat 6, Conservative 2, UUP 2.