Following the Covid-19 crisis, too many French women have not had breast cancer screening.
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in France and is the leading cause of cancer death in women.
- It is the subject of a national screening program organized in order to be detected early and to reduce mortality.
In 2020, participation in organized breast cancer screening dropped significantly, to 42.8%. A historically low rate, explained by several factors linked to the Covid-19 health crisis: interruption of the sending of invitations to screening, closure of radiology practices, less activity upon reopening…
Dramatic consequences
The League Against Cancer therefore launches an urgent call for remobilisation: the delays in diagnosis inevitably generated risk having dramatic consequences for the people concerned.
In France, each year, 58,500 people (including 1% men) develop breast cancer, and 12,100 die from it. Thus, in 2021, 1 in 8 women is at risk of being affected. “To fight against this scourge, screening and early diagnosis are essential: a canceled screening appointment or a postponed mammogram means risking a diagnosis and treatment that is too late, which can have dramatic consequences. However, detected early, breast cancer is cured in 90% of cases!”, say the experts.
Gynecological screening and follow-up
“The drastic drop in the screening participation rate in 2020 particularly worries us and prompts us to hammer home this urgent call for the remobilization of the populations concerned: despite the health context, continue to be monitored and screened, take care of your health!” , concludes Professor Daniel Nizri, volunteer president of the League Against Cancer.
Before the age of 50, organized screening for breast cancer is not yet recommended, but gynecological follow-up, to be done every year, is particularly important. In young people too, breast cancer exists. This is particularly the case of triple negative breast cancer, which represents 15% of breast cancers and particularly affects women under 40 years of age.
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