World Cancer Day, February 4, 2017
To mark February 4, World Cancer Day and the third anniversary of the 2014–2019 Cancer Plan, Santé publique France is releasing new data on cancer incidence in the 24 departments and territories covered by a cancer registry, as well as fact sheets on four types of cancer (lung, breast, colorectal, and cervical).
Cancer affects 355,000 people in France each year and is the leading cause of death. As part of its surveillance activities, Santé publique France produces information to support public decision-making, particularly regarding cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates, through a partnership with the Francim network of cancer registries, the biostatistics department of the Hospices Civils de Lyon, and the National Cancer Institute. The evaluation of organized screening programs also generates information related to screening management structures. The agency also monitors cancer risk factors, particularly regarding tobacco use, alcohol, nutrition, infectious risks—such as human papillomavirus (HPV) infection—and environmental and occupational risks.
Key figures to remember*
Lung cancer is a preventable cancer. Its incidence and mortality are steadily increasing among women, while survival rates remain low. Tobacco is the leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for 8 out of 10 cases. This cancer causes 30,000 deaths per year; 45,000 new cases in 2015 (projections).
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in France and causes 12,000 deaths each year; 54,000 new cases in 2015 (projections).
Colorectal cancer is responsible for approximately 18,000 deaths per year; it ranks second among the most common causes of cancer-related deaths in men and third in women; approximately 43,000 new cases per year (projections).
Cervical cancer affects approximately 3,000 women and causes 1,100 deaths each year (projections). This cancer is preventable through two effective and complementary interventions: HPV vaccination and screening.
*Figures for other cancer sites will be available in 2017.
Learn more:
Fact sheet on 4 cancers (lung, breast, colorectal, and cervical) with access to epidemiological data by department (map).
Santé publique France’s contribution to the Cancer Plan
Responsible for three initiatives under the Cancer Plan in the areas of education/promotion of nutrition and physical activity, as well as in the areas of occupational cancers and cancers linked to environmental exposures, and jointly responsible for 16 others, Santé publique France is also a key player in:
monitoring the Cancer Plan by producing indicators included in the annual report submitted to the President of the Republic;
the publication "Cancers in France," included in the Cancer Plan, specifically the chapters on 'Epidemiology' (a partnership between Francim, HCL, Santé publique France, and Inca) and 'Screening.'
These reports are available annually on the website www.e-cancer.fr
