The number of cancer patients has increased considerably in France since 1980, reveals INCa. But this increase is only a reflection of our demographics. In fact, the cancer survival rate has improved markedly.
The National Cancer Institute (INCa) delivers this February 10 the 2013 edition of its annual report “Cancers in France. “ Although still high, the cancer figures in France are encouraging: survival for all cancers combined is improving. This edition mainly highlights the disparities in the face of the disease.
Women and young people less affected
In 2012, 350,000 new cases of cancer were reported, mostly in men. This number increased considerably between 1980 and 2012, but this increase is in part due to the increase and aging of the population, with the majority of cases occurring in the elderly. And between 2005 and 2012, INCa even noted a decrease in the incidence on average of -1.3% in men, and a slowing of the increase in women (+ 0.2% per year on average ).
Regarding mortality, the figures are also encouraging. In 2012, the INCa recorded 148,000 cancer deaths. Admittedly, the number of cancer deaths increased by 11% in men and 20.3% in women between 1980 and 2012. But, again, it is essentially the consequence of the increase in the population, and its aging. In fact, “the risk of dying from cancer has decreased significantly in both men and women, the decrease being more marked in men.” 3 million people over the age of 15 are now living in remission. This survival varies according to the location of the cancer, notes INCa, but women and young people are undeniably privileged.
Lung and colorectal cancers in the lead
The most common cancers vary by sex. At the top of the “male” cancers is prostate cancer with 56,841 cases in 2012. Lung cancer (28,211) and colorectal cancer (23,266) follow. In women, breast cancer is the most common one (48,763 cases). As in men, lung cancer (8,623) and colorectal cancer (11,284) are very common.
A growing divergence is emerging between the most frequent and the most fatal cancers. All sexes combined, lung and colorectal cancer kill the most. This is also the case in males. Women die most often from breast cancer.
The North and the Center strongly affected
Finally, INCa notes that regional disparities remain very marked. Prostate cancer is the best example: the number of cases per 100,000 person-years varies from 53.3 to 113.9 depending on the region. This is also the case for lung cancer, in both men and women. The North and Center of France are the regions most affected by cancer, all types combined, while the Alps and Midi-Pyrenees are relatively spared.
.
