In September 2024, the National Cancer Institute (INCa) published the 2024 edition of the cancer overview. Each year, this document provides the latest epidemiological data on cancers in France. Overview.
An overall increase in cancers in France
Cancers, along with cardiovascular diseases, have been the most common causes of mortality in France for several years now. The number of new cases of cancer also increases from year to year, although the incidence of certain cancers tends to decrease, for example colorectal cancer in men or cervical cancer in women. All cancers combined, this overall increase in the number of cancer cases can be explained by several phenomena:
- An unfavorable development of lifestylesnotably the increase in overweight and obesity but also alcohol and tobacco consumption;
- The aging of the population ;
- The impact of environmental factors and more particularly air pollution.
The cancer overview specifies the most common and deadliest cancers in women and men. It then details the data cancer by cancer:
The latest trends in diagnosis and survival.
Risk factors or contributing factors;
Average age at diagnosis;
Prevention and screening, two key weapons in the fight against cancer
If diagnostic and therapeutic advances in recent years have made it possible to improve the survival and quality of life of many patients affected by cancer, prevention undoubtedly remains the best way to fight cancer. According to specialists, a large number of cancers could be avoided thanks to:
- Vaccinationfor example against hepatitis B to prevent liver cancer or vaccination against HPV infections to prevent various cancers including cervical cancer, but also anal cancer (link: https:/ /www.sante-sur-le-net.com/entreprises/cancer/le-cancer-de-lanus/) or penile cancer;
- Lifestyle changesbetter diet, sufficient physical activity, less sedentary lifestyle, less alcohol and stopping smoking;
- Reducing exposure to environmental pollutants.
Another major means of control is cancer screening. Although not all cancers can be screened, three and soon four cancers are subject to organized screening in France:
- Lung cancer screening should be the next screening organized in France and will be based on a low-dose scanner in patients at risk.
- Cervical cancer screening thanks to the HPV-HR test and cervical smear in all women between 25 and 65 years old;
- Breast cancerthanks to a mammogram every 2 years in women aged 50 to 74;
- Le cancer colorectalthanks to a stool analysis, in women and men between 50 and 74 years old;
Figures on pediatric cancers
Following the “golden September” operation dedicated to pediatric cancers, the cancer overview also provides some detailed figures on childhood cancers. Cancers very different from those of adults. In children, the most common cancers are:
And each year, there are 1,817 new cases in France over the period 2014-2020. A very low figure compared to the number of new cases of cancer in France, which amounted to 433,136 for the year 2023, but which affect very young patients.
The fight against cancer makes progress every year, but individual and collective efforts must continue to reduce the burden of these diseases.
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