Cervical Cancer Prevention in France: An Overview of Vaccination and Screening and an Analysis of Regional Disparities, 2020–2023

Cervical cancer remains a major public health issue in France, with approximately 3,100 new cases and 1,100 deaths each year. This cancer, linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), is preventable through HPV vaccination and screening. HPV vaccination, which has been recommended and covered by insurance since 2007 for adolescent girls and extended to boys in 2021, is an essential primary prevention measure. In addition, regular screening is recommended for women aged 25 to 65 as part of the National Organized Cervical Cancer Screening Program (PNDOCCU), established in 2018. In 2023, HPV vaccination coverage (VC) was estimated at 54.6% for at least one dose among 15-year-old girls and 44.7% for two doses among 16-year-old girls. Although these figures have been rising for several years, significant regional disparities remain, particularly in southern France and the overseas departments and regions (DROM). For screening, the three-year coverage rate reached 59.5% between 2020 and 2022, an increase compared to previous periods, but still below the targets set by the World Health Organization (WHO) (70% of women screened at ages 35 and 45) and the acceptable European coverage rate for cervical cancer screening (75%). Efforts must continue to reduce these inequalities and ensure equitable cervical cancer prevention nationwide. The rollout of HPV vaccination programs in schools and organized cervical cancer screening programs present opportunities to implement targeted actions aimed at reducing inequalities.

Author(s): Audiger Céline, Fonteneau Laure, Plaine Julie, Heuzé Guillaume, Catelinois Olivier, Raguet Sophie, Pépin Philippe, Vaux Sophie, Barret Anne-Sophie, Barré-Pierrel Stéphanie

Publishing year: 2025

Pages: 26-32

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2025, n° 3-4, p. 26-32

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