Every year, the month of October is marked by a national mobilization for the fight against breast cancer. In Occitania, although efforts have been renewed to raise awareness among all women aged 50 to 74 about organized screening, the participation rate remains insufficient with only 56.6% of women concerned in 2023. When the recommended threshold at European level is 70%
Numbers
More than 61,000 new cases of breast cancers in 2023. (+ 0.3% per year between 2010-2023).
80 % breast cancers develop after the age of 50.
1er cancer in women.
33 % cancers in women are breast cancers.
1re cause of cancer deaths among women.
More than 12 000 deaths in 2018. (- 1.6% per year (2010-2018).
40 120 cancers detected through the organized screening program. (Or 7.6 per 1000 women screened in 2017-2018).
88 % standardized 5-year net survival rate for diagnosed women.
On the occasion of the launch of the Pink October awareness campaign in Occitanie, the Primary Health Insurance Fund, the Regional Health Agency, the Occitanie Regional Cancer Screening Coordination Center and the user representative France Assos Santé Occitanie met to take stock of breast cancer screening.
As a reminder, organized screening allows all women aged 50 to 74, without symptoms or particular risk factors, to benefit from a free mammogram every two years.
A million women in Occitania invited for screening
“When it comes to breast cancer, as always, prevention is better than cure. You should not be afraid to go and get screened, the cures are extremely great. The progress is considerable”begins Didier Jaffre of the ARS.
Breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lifetime. It is most common in women. Early detection is essential to provide the best chance of recovery. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat and the higher the chances of recovery.
“Each year, a million women in Occitania are invited to be screened by the CPAM. 56.6% respond with screening. We are not making progress, we have returned to the figure before the Covid crisis”continues Philippe Trotabas, risk management coordinator in Occitanie for Health Insurance. “The rate does not increase over the long term, it’s a real difficulty. One in two women is insufficient. Behind that, there are so many lives that we can no longer save.”
Cured in 9 out of 10 cases
With more than 61,000 new cases in 2023 in France, breast cancer ranks first among the most common cancers, all sexes combined. The incidence has increased by an average of 0.3% per year since 2010. Mortality (12,100 deaths estimated in 2018) is decreasing slightly thanks to advances in therapeutics, of course, but above all to the precocity of diagnoses. This cancer can be cured in 9 out of 10 cases.
A fight that begins before the illness is declared
Comment ? “First of all by adopting a lifestyle that fights against cancer risk factors: quitting cigarettes, limiting alcoholic beverages, eating a balanced and varied diet, moving at all ages and avoiding excess weight”explains Doctor Marie Bichara.
These good lifestyle habits not only prevent the appearance of more than 40% of cancers, but also significantly reduce the risk of a possible recurrence.
The second way to fight breast cancer is to “find him before he finds us”. And therefore to get tested.
In terms of prevention, it is also about reducing inequalities, by reaching out to women furthest from the healthcare system, in rural areas and priority areas of the city, where participation falls to 44%. Supply is not always well assured in sensitive areas. There is, however, slight progress, since they were only 39% in 2019.
Mammobile and “women’s health” days
The Hérault mobile has demonstrated its effectiveness. “Mammobiles are a real asset at a time when imaging centers are closing.” raises Marie Bichara, doctor from the regional screening coordination center.
Today, it travels to certain sectors of Gard, Ariège or Aude, where the rate is the lowest, where the cancer rate is also the highest. “Occitanie is a very rural region. We therefore practice “going towards” via “women’s health” days which allow screening as close as possible to isolated, elderly or people in precarious and disabled situations, with radiologists partners We have organized 73 in 2023. This year, the 13 CPAMs are planning 38 in the month of October alone. explains the director of CPAM Hérault, which finances 43 associations in the field to the tune of 169,000 euros.
“We currently have around twenty advisors who call the women concerned, mobilize radiologists to obtain slots in order to schedule an appointment. We have made around 300 calls in three weeks. 10% accepted, which is not so bad! It is essential to maintain this dynamic throughout the year.”
For her part, Doctor Marie Bichara insists on the quality of the diagnosis, “today the second reading of the images makes it possible to recover 6% of cancers. Furthermore, we have obtained an exemption for the dematerialization of the images to facilitate the second analysis circuit.”
“Fear, it hurts, it’s dangerous, no history…”: still very powerful brakes
Women reluctant to screen cite the danger linked to radiation. “There was a controversy about this,” explains Doctor Bichara. “In the 2000s, it was said that mammography caused cancer, this occupied a lot of people’s minds. Studies were carried out. The first thing is that today’s mammograms are not those of today. 20 years ago. They are much less irradiating Regarding the dose of rays delivered, between 50 and 74 years old, that’s 13 exams in total. The total dose corresponds to what she would have received with a single chest scan. “In medicine, zero risk does not exist, but we are not at excess risk. Not being screened is much more dangerous.”
“Afraid of the result, afraid of the radiation, it hurts, I don’t have time, I have no history…”. The obstacles are stubborn, as explained by Laurence Pochard, volunteer member of the league against cancer and user representative France Assos Santé Occitanie which brings together 110 approved associations. “Everyone knows the pink ribbon. Breast cancer is no longer taboo. We must take advantage of this month to raise awareness among loved ones and friends, whatever their age group. It is the responsibility of each and every one woman, than to take charge of her health.”
