Written question asked by Oliver Heald (Conservative) on Friday, 18 April 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 April 2008. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 May 2008 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Cancer: Medical Treatments

Question: (2) what recent representations he has received on the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of cancer;

Answer: The Department does not collect information on the number of patients receiving photodynamic therapy (PDT), where this treatment is provided or the cost of the treatment.The Department has received a number of written representations about the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy cancer treatment from the charity Killing Cancer.The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has issued guidance on the use of PDT in the treatment of several cancers.It is for the national health service at a local level to decide whether to offer this treatment to patients.

Secondary information