A recent study published by Santé Publique France (French Public Health, SPF) focuses on the “most common cancers (15 in men and 18 in women).” Skin cancers other than melanoma are excluded, and only invasive tumors are considered. The study, carried out in collaboration with the French National Cancer Institute (INCA), the French network of cancer registries (Francim), and the Hospices Civiles de Lyon, is published every five years and uses projections for the period 2019–2023 to estimate the number of new cancer cases.
In France, cancer is the leading cause of death among men and the second among women, after cardiovascular diseases. In the last three decades, the number of new cancer cases in metropolitan France has almost doubled, especially in women, due to the increase in smoking. Although breast cancer continues to be the most frequent, other cancers, such as lung cancer, are increasing considerably.
It is estimated that 430,000 new cases of all types of cancer occur each year in France. 8% of these cases are related to alcohol consumption and 19% to smoking. The increased incidence of cancer is due in part to population growth and aging, as well as unhealthy behaviors and lifestyles such as diet and a lack of physical activity.
Although cancer-related mortality has decreased overall due to earlier diagnosis and advances in treatment, nearly half of all cancers could be prevented by changing behaviors and lifestyles. Factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation are preventable causes of cancer.
The study highlights the importance of adopting healthier habits and promoting prevention strategies to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer on society.