The account is still not there. Twenty years after the generalization of a systematic and free breast cancer screening program for women over 50, the level of participation is stagnating, according to a report published on October 15 by Public Health France (SPF).
In 2022-2023, only 46.5% of women affected by the biannual mail reminder campaigns sent by Social Security went for a mammogram.
A screening coverage rate close to 60%
These consultations established within the framework of the national program, benefit from a double medical analysis and are supplemented by “enapproximately 10% of recourse to screening outside the program “ specifies the study. Ultimately, the coverage rate for breast cancer screening, the deadliest among women, is close to 60% in France, or ten points less than the recommendations of European authorities.
This poor performance is all the more damaging as “the quality of the procedure implemented is constantly improving and the performance criteria of the program comply with European recommendations. »
“After increasing until 2011-2012 to reach a peak at 52.3%, participation in the program has gradually declined, for all age groups and in all regions”underlines SPF. Among the factors that could explain this slowdown is “ the decline in the supply of senology » (medical specialty dedicated to breast diseases, Editor’s note), which complicated the making of appointments, as well as the “recurring controversy surrounding the effectiveness of this screening”.
A decline linked to the Covid epidemic
But it is above all the disruptions linked to the covid crisis which have led to delays both in sending reminders and in carrying out exams.. “In 2020, due to the first confinement, which led to the suspension of the sending of invitations by the Regional Cancer Screening Coordination Centers (CRCDC) following the closure of several radiology centers, the participation rate has fallen significantly »specifies SPF.
After catching up in 2021, the number of exams was reduced again in 2023. “ It is likelyestimates the balance sheet of SPF, that the consequences of the disruptions due to Covid-19 will also have an impact on participation in 2024”.
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