As part of the preparation of the third Cancer Plan, an orientation mission was entrusted to Jean-Paul Vernant, professor of hematology at Pierre and Marie Curie University.
Prof. Jean-Paul Vernant conducted an in-depth reflection on the challenges of the fight against cancer by insisting on the following themes: prevention and screening, research, professions, training and practices in oncology, life-care pathway during and after the Cancer. Development axes to reduce the inequalities of the population in the face of cancer.
The objective of this new Cancer Plan is to effectively reduce the inequalities linked to cancer. For this, it is essential to adapt the health system and simplify the organization for a better efficiency of screening and care.
According to the 2nd Cancer plan, 4 factors create inequalities in cancer treatment: diagnostic and treatment times (a geographic problem), access to technologies and drugs (France does not count enough MRI), the follow-up of the patient after the treatment and the financial problem of the assumption of responsibility and the overruns of fees.
Prof. Jean-Paul Vernant proposes to develop the strengthening of prevention for better screening, the continuity of care between the outpatient and the hospital for a better follow-up of the treatment, the improvement of the life of the patients during and after the cancer, and above all taking greater account of social, geographic and behavioral inequalities in order to reduce inequalities.
For the third Cancer Plan, Professor Jean-Paul Vernant announces “ that five transversal axes have been identified as priorities: the central role of the general practitioner must be strengthened, better patient association, the organization of information systems, the development of personalized medicine and better consideration of the ‘financial impact of the disease and treatments on social and professional life must be implemented “.
Cancer is the main cause of death in France with 148,000 deaths estimated in 2012 and 355,000 new cases per year. The individual risk of cancer increases while the risk of dying from cancer decreases. However, it is estimated that nearly 80,000 deaths are preventable and can be the subject of preventive measures.
But cancer in France is the pathology in which health inequalities are very marked compared to other pathologies and compared to other European countries. Reducing inequalities in cancer mortality is an objective that France must achieve in the next 10 years.
