Is screening sufficient in Brittany and Finistère?

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Screening for cancer be you has existed for 20 years for women aged 50 to 74. However, it is still not a reflex. This observation concerns all of France and Brittany is no exception.

A little more than 50% in Finistère

In fact, nationally, 46.5% of women have their mammogram every two years; 53% in Brittany; 51,6 % In Finistère.

If we look more closely at the territories, this rate drops to 40% in Center Finistère. We are therefore far from the European objective of 70% which would make it possible to reduce mortality.

Screening increases survival rate

In this month dedicated to breast cancer, the president of the CRCDC and all its partners are uniting to hammer home the same message: “Screen yourself! »

The five-year survival rate is 99% when cancer is detected very early. It stands at 26% when it is spotted late.

Since January 2024, the health insurance fund has sent a letter to women aged 50 to 74, inviting them to make an appointment in an approved radiology practice to carry out a clinical breast examination followed by a mammography.

These exams are 100% refunded. An additional ultrasound can be offered if necessary. It will also be reimbursed.

2,600 new cases in Brittany per year

Health Insurance sends treating doctors a list of their patients who have not been screened. “Finally, we are now leading a campaign d’go towards the populations furthest from the health system to support them towards screening”, informs the Finistère Health Insurance.

Out of 1,000 mammograms, 992 are normal. The women leave reassured and peaceful for two years. And if we detect cancer, it is small, so easily treated.

More massive screening would save lives. Breast cancer remains the leading cause of death by cancer in women with 12,000 deaths per year in France, 680 in Brittany.

60,000 new cases are detected each year in the country, 2,600 in the region. “And the number of cases is increasing, particularly due to the aging of the population,” specifies Michel Robaszkiewicz.

Alcohol, tobacco, junk food…

Beyond screening, Doctor Lénaïg Abily-Donval emphasizes the importance of prevention: “40% of breast cancers could be avoided because they are linked to the environment: alcohol, tobacco, excess weight, junk food, work night, hormonal treatments, endocrine disruptors. »

Conversely, certain behaviors are protective: a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fiber, daily physical activity, breastfeeding (at least six months).

Regardless of age, women must also be very attentive to any abnormal development of their chest : lump, deformation, redness, discharge, retraction of the nipple, orange peel appearance, etc.

Doctors recommend self-examination every three months. And if there is the slightest doubt, you must make an appointment with your doctor, your gynecologist, your midwife, etc.

Henri Le Penndu also invites women over 74 to continue their follow-up and continue to have mammograms. For those with a personal or family history, closer monitoring is put in place.

Throughout Pink October, multiple events are organized in Finistère : race, conference, self-monitoring workshops, debate show, etc.

The entire Pink October program on https://web.depistage-cancer.bzh/

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