Breast cancer screening could be advanced to 45 years old, whereas it is currently only offered to women from the age of 50.
- Nearly 60,000 breast cancers were screened in 2018.
- Between 2010 and 2018, the number of deaths linked to breast cancer fell by 1.6% per year, thanks in particular to screening campaigns.
In 2018, there were 12,146 deaths from breast cancer, according to Public Health France. In women, it is the most common cancer in France, which is also the first cause of death by cancer. However, according to the website of theHealth Insurancethere would be 99% five-year survival for breast cancer detected at an early stage compared to only 26% when diagnosed at a late stage.
Reduce breast cancer mortality by 15 to 21%
Screening therefore remains a major public health issue because it increases the chances of recovery. But, according to Public health Franceonly 2.5 million women had a screening mammogram in 2018. This corresponds to a national participation rate of 42.8%, a significant drop from previous years.
In France, organized screening for breast cancer concerns all women between the ages of 50 and 74. Thus, every two years, they receive an invitation to have a mammogram, even if they have no symptoms or risk factors. The medical examination is fully covered by health insurance. “According to figures from international studies, breast cancer screening programs can reduce breast cancer mortality by 15 and 21%, can we read on this Health Insurance page dedicated to screening. Thus, thanks to screening, 100 to 300 deaths from breast cancer are avoided for 100,000 women participating in regular screening for 7 to 10 years..
Screening from age 45 instead of age 50
But the European Commission wants to go even further. Currently, the recommendations for breast cancer screening in the European Union believe that: “When mammography screening is offered, only women between the ages of 50 and 69 should be invited. Screening intervals should be two to three years”. According to its new recommendations, relayed by CNews, the body wants to extend screening to women aged 45 to 74. The objective is to reduce mortality in Europe.
“The question of screening does not arise for women under 40, apart from women at high risk of cancer (genetic predisposition, family history of breast cancer)explains the French Society of Senology and Breast Pathology (SFSPM) which specifies that it is “more complex for women aged 40 to 50 since 15% of cancers occur in this age group”. On the other hand, for those over 75, the SFSPM estimates that “a large number of women over the age of 74 think that it is no longer necessary to carry out follow-up, which induces the management of cancer at late stages”. Thus, the SFSPM recommends “a major communication effort” and a mammogram, on prescription, every two years for those over 75, with the aim, again, of reducing the number of deaths due to this cancer as much as possible.