The objective of this study is to provide an updated analysis of trends in cancer incidence and mortality in France over the period 1980–2012. The analysis covers all new cancer cases recorded by the cancer registries of the Francim network between 1975 and 2009, totaling 925,242 new cases. Mortality data recorded for the period 1975–2009 were provided by the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). Nineteen cancer sites, corresponding to solid tumors, were studied. In 2012, the number of new cancer cases in metropolitan France is estimated at 355,000, including 200,000 in men and 155,000 in women. In men, the three most common cancers are prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers. In women, they are breast, colorectal, and lung cancers. The number of cancer deaths in 2012 is estimated at 148,000, including 85,000 in men and 63,000 in women. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men, ahead of colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. Among women, breast cancer ranks first, ahead of lung cancer and colorectal cancer. Analysis of trends over the 1980–2012 period confirms the divergence between the trends in cancer incidence and mortality observed during the 1980–2005 period. This divergence is explained by the combined effect of the decreasing incidence of the most rapidly progressing cancers and the increasing incidence of cancers with a better prognosis, this increase being linked, in part, to changes in medical practices that lead to earlier diagnoses. However, for the first time, starting in 2005, changes in incidence trends are observed, with a decrease among men and stabilization among women. These variations are due to recent changes in the incidence of prostate and breast cancers. (R.A.)