Breast Cancer Screening Program in France: 2010 Results and Trends Since 2006

The national organized breast cancer screening program was rolled out nationwide in 2004. It includes a clinical examination and two mammograms per breast interpreted by a primary radiologist, followed, if necessary, by immediate diagnostic testing, as well as a systematic second reading of normal images. Between 2004 and 2010, the number of women screened rose from 1,621,000 to 2,362,000. The participation rate rose sharply between 2004 and 2008, from 40.2% to 52.4%, and has since stabilized at 52.0% in 2010. For 7.1% of women screened in 2010, the mammogram was abnormal, and immediate diagnostic evaluation confirmed the abnormality in 44.8% of these women, or 3.1% of all screened women. A normal mammogram was associated with an abnormal clinical examination in 6.1% of cases. After the second reading, 1.3% of women were recalled. The cancer detection rates for the program were 6.8 per thousand in 2009 and 6.8 per thousand (provisional data) in 2010. Of all cancers detected, 6.2% were detected during the second reading. In 2010, 15.2% of cancers were in situ. Among invasive cancers, 38.2% were 10 mm or smaller, and 76.0% of those with known lymph node status were not metastatic. In 2010, for the third year, the program authorized digital mammography. Clear differences were observed between full-field digital (DR) technology on the one hand and analog and digital plate (CR) technologies on the other. DR mammography systems resulted in more positive first-readings, more detected cancers, but a lower positive predictive value of examinations after further evaluation and a smaller contribution from the second reading compared to the other two types of mammography systems. These conclusions should be interpreted with caution regarding CR digital technology, as this heterogeneous group includes devices with very different performance characteristics. These indicators remain consistent with European guidelines and French specifications, except for participation in the organized screening program, which remains insufficient given the coexistence with individual screening. (R.A.)

Author(s): Lastier D, Salines E, Rogel A

Publishing year: 2013

Pages: 26 p.

In relation to

Our latest news

news

2026 “Sexual Behavior” Survey (ERAS) for men who have sex with men

news

Hervé Maisonneuve has been appointed scientific integrity officer for a...

Visuel illustratif

news

Public Health France 2026 Barometer: Launch of the Survey