2015 Cancer Barometer

The Cancer Barometer is a telephone survey of the general population modeled after the Health Barometers established in 1992 by the French Committee for Health Education.

Conducted every five years, it provides insight into the public’s attitudes and behaviors regarding cancer risk factors, prevention and screening methods, as well as perceptions of the disease and the quality of care. Its findings are used to implement initiatives to combat cancer and improve patient care. Because it is conducted regularly using the same methodology and similar questionnaires, the Cancer Barometer survey also tracks changes in key behaviors and attitudes related to cancer.

It was piloted in 2005 and 2010 by INPES (which became Santé publique France in 2016 following the merger of several agencies) and then taken over by the National Cancer Institute (INCa) in 2015, in collaboration with Santé publique France. The latter contributed its methodological expertise, cleaned and adjusted the database of landline and mobile phone numbers used for the 2015 survey, and conducted analyses and provided commentary on several themes.

Comparing the first two waves made it possible to measure the changes and progress made between the first Cancer Plan (2003–2007) and the second (2009–2013), but also to identify areas where progress was still expected, particularly regarding social inequalities in cancer and associated risk factors.

The 2015 Cancer Barometer survey is one of the measures of the third Cancer Plan (2014–2019) (Action 9.17.4). It was conducted by telephone with 4,000 people aged 15 to 85 between May 19 and October 13, 2015 (the survey was carried out by the BVA research institute).

The survey methodology for the 2015 edition is detailed in a 10-page document. The questionnaire was revised to take into account, in particular, the new 2014–2019 Cancer Plan and the significant progress made in the fight against cancer since the first wave in 2005. Against the backdrop of rapid changes in telephone equipment and usage among the French population, several elements of the protocol were also revised.

View the methodology (PDF - 200 KB)

These changes resulted in:

  • the introduction of new topics in the questionnaire (public perception of environmental and occupational exposures, including emerging risks; the most common and/or serious cancers; warning signs suggestive of the disease; lung cancer screening among smokers; use of e-cigarettes; use of smoking cessation aids, etc.),

  • questions that were removed, reworded, or expanded (skin type related to UV risks, HPV vaccination, etc.).

View the questionnaire (PDF - 794 KB)

The results of the Cancer Barometer are published by topic as they become available and posted online on the Santé publique France and INCa websites. The topics are as follows:

  • Perceptions of cancer care and information about cancer and its risk factors

  • Tobacco

  • Alcohol

  • UV exposure (sun and tanning beds)

  • Nutrition

  • Screening

Tobacco and Cancer

Pasquereau A, Deutsch A, Richard JB, Guignard R, Andler R, Estaquio C. Tobacco and Cancer. Risk Perceptions in 2015 and Recent Developments. Cancer Barometer 2015. Saint Maurice: Santé publique France, 2019. 18 p.

Ultraviolet radiation and cancer

Ménard C, Thuret A. Cancer Barometer 2015. Ultraviolet radiation, natural or artificial. Knowledge, beliefs, and practices of the population in 2015. Saint-Maurice: Santé publique France, 2018. 46 p.

Alcohol and Cancer

Cogordan C, Richard JB, Andler R, Ancellin R, Deutsch A. Cancer Barometer 2015. Alcohol and Cancer. Behaviors, Opinions, and Risk Perceptions. Saint-Maurice: Santé publique France, 2018. 16 p.