Breast cancer: 5 million participants in organized screening

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in France. The National Cancer Institute (INCa) even estimates that one in 8 women will be affected by this pathology during her lifetime. And to prevent it from remaining the leading cause of cancer death in women, screening is organized every year.

This program invites women aged 50 to 74 to undergo a screening mammogram every 2 years, supplemented by a clinical breast exam.

More than 5 million women screened

Public health France informs that participation in the organized breast cancer screening program is indeed 51.1% for the period 2015-2016. After a stabilization of participation around 52% between 2008 and 2014, these new data therefore show a slight decrease. It is observed for all age groups except 70-74 years. The Agency specifies, however, that it “will however have to be confirmed in the coming years”.

As a reminder, all the exams of this screening are covered within the framework of the third party payment (without advance of costs). “The program guarantees equal access to screening throughout the country and allows each woman to benefit from the same guarantee of quality and care”, underlines for its part the INCa.

Source: Public health France