Participation rates for breast cancer and colorectal cancer screening are low in France, according to two studies by Santé Publique France.
- In France, participation rates in screening for breast cancer and colorectal cancer are too low.
- For breast cancer, the Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact.
- In the case of colorectal cancer, facilitating access to screening kits could improve participation.
The French do not get enough screening. This is the conclusion of two surveys published by Public Health France, Tuesday, July 10. Screening rates for colorectal cancer and breast cancer are too low.
Breast cancer screening: the impact of the pandemic and regional disparities
With regard to breast cancer, experts from Santé Publique France looked at the period 2005-2021. “The participation rate is defined as the number of women aged 50 to 74 having undergone screening over each period studied., they recall in the preamble. For women in this age category, it is recommended to undergo breast cancer screening every two years. He first goes through a clinical breast examination and a mammogram. “Participation in this program is low in France and has been declining since the early 2010s., they observe. At the national level, participation in screening peaked in 2012: the rate was around 52%, it then fell, reaching 48.5% in 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic had an impact on women’s access to screening: the participation rate dropped in 2020 and fell to 42.6%. “The numerous Covid-19 infections in 2021, as well as travel restrictions, certainly continued to disrupt the uptake of breast cancer screening in 2021″, emphasizes Public Health France. For 2021, the participation rate reached 50.6%. If this compensates for the drop linked to the epidemic, the figures for the recent period remain lower than the previous periods.
Santé Publique France also notes geographical disparities. The highest levels of participation are on an axis going from Brittany to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, while participation is very low in Île-de-France and in the South-East. “A study has detailed these variations in participation at the level of the municipality of residence and shows low participation in large cities, as well as in less or very disadvantaged areas.analyzes the organism.
Colorectal cancer : too complicated access to the test?
For colorectal cancer, the examination consists of looking for traces of blood in the stool. It is offered to people between the ages of 50 and 74 at “risk AVERAGE” of developing colorectal cancer. It must be done every two years. Since its generalization in 2008-2009, the national organized screening program for colorectal cancer (DOCCR) is still insufficient. “The participation rate is low, around 32%, well below European recommendations (acceptable target of 45%) and the average participation rate of European countries (49.5%)”, specifies the report of Public Health France. While periods of confinement have led to a drop in the rate of testing, the pandemic has had a moderate impact on participation.
Other factors may explain the low rates. “The need to consult your general practitioner to collect a screening kit seems to be one of the obstacles to an increase in participationsay the authors. In 2022, new kit delivery methods were put in place with the possibility of ordering your kit online or collect it from your pharmacist.” This new way of accessing screening could improve participation rates. Future studies will find out.