Rising incidence and falling mortality

In mainland France,

• breast cancer is the most common cancer, ahead of prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers, and is the third leading cause of cancer-related death.

• It is the most common cancer among women and the leading cause of cancer death in women.

• The incidence (world-standardized rate) of breast cancer in women increased between 1990 and 2023 (by an average of 0.9% per year, rising from 72.8 new cases of breast cancer per 100,000 women to 99.2).

• In contrast, mortality (world-standardized rate) decreased (-1.3% per year on average, from 20.2 breast cancer deaths per 100,000 women in 1990 to 14.0 in 2018).

The study covers the incidence of the 19 most common cancers (17 solid tumors and 2 malignant hematological diseases) and all cancers. For the incidence of other cancer sites and cancer mortality, see the report on national estimates of cancer incidence and mortality in metropolitan France between 1990 and 2018.

Based on this study, additional analyses were conducted for breast cancer in young women. The incidence (age-specific rate) of breast cancer increased steadily in France between 1990 and 2023 among women aged 30 and among women aged 40 at diagnosis.

Regional and county estimates of cancer incidence and mortality can be viewed here

Within the European Union, France ranks 8th among the countries with the highest incidence rates and 11th among those with the highest mortality rates.

Globally, an estimated 2.08 million new cases were reported in 2018. The highest incidence rates are observed in the most developed countries. In terms of mortality, an estimated 626,000 deaths occurred in 2018. Mortality rates are highest in the least developed countries.

Source (EU and global): Globocan 2018 v1.0 Available at: http://globocan.iarc.fr, accessed on 04/25/2019.

Regional and departmental incidence and mortality: little geographic heterogeneity

“Within France, regional and departmental disparities in breast cancer incidence are not very pronounced. There is an under-incidence exceeding 10% compared to the national average in the Jura, the Territoire de Belfort, the Doubs, Finistère, the Côtes-d’Armor, Ariège, and Corrèze. Paris is the only department with an over-incidence exceeding 10%. Regional and
departmental disparities in breast cancer mortality are more pronounced: there is an excess mortality rate exceeding 10% compared to the national average in all departments of Hauts-de-France, in the Ardennes, the Marne, Seine-Maritime, and the Yonne. Mortality is below the national average in many departments in southern France and Brittany. In total, 10 departments have mortality rates at least 10% below the national average. 

Improving Survival Rates

The 5-year net survival rate for women with breast cancer has improved over time, rising from 79% for women diagnosed in 1990 to 89% for those diagnosed in 2010 (standardized net survival). This improvement has occurred across all age groups but is most pronounced among women aged 70.

This improvement is linked, on the one hand, to earlier diagnosis (due to the development of screening practices, but also to improvements in diagnostic practices and techniques) and, on the other hand, to therapeutic advances in recent years.

Survival Rates in the Overseas Departments and Regions

Survival rates for women with breast cancer were estimated using data from the general cancer registries of Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Réunion.

The 5-year net survival rate is estimated at 79% for Guadeloupe, 83% for Martinique, and 81% for Réunion among women diagnosed between 2008 and 2015 (89% in mainland France).

• Survival of people with cancer in Guadeloupe 2008–2018

• Survival of people with cancer in Martinique 2008–2018

• Survival of people with cancer in Réunion, 2008–2018

• Survival of people with cancer in the DROMs, 2008–2018 – Materials and methods

Breast cancer prevalence figures

The 5-year partial prevalence of breast cancer is estimated at nearly 254,000 women in 2017. This figure represents individuals diagnosed in the past five years, whether they are in complete remission, cured, or under ongoing surveillance.

1 in 10 breast cancers is diagnosed at an advanced stage

Data from cancer registries show that:

• 6 out of 10 breast cancers are diagnosed at an early stage (limited local spread),

• 3 out of 10 at an intermediate stage (regional spread),

• 1 in 10 at an advanced stage.

These figures remained stable throughout the study period from 2009 to 2012.
Early-stage cancers are diagnosed more frequently in women aged 50–74 (65%) compared to 59% in those under 50 and 42% in those over 74.
The most advanced cancers are diagnosed more frequently in women over 74.