France: 40% of cancers could be avoided by “modifying behavior”

Everyone knows that having a healthier lifestyle reduces the risk of developing cancer. However, we did not know until then the extent that this could have on a national scale. According to the National Cancer Institute (Inca), each year in France, 160,000 cancers could be avoided (40% of cancers detected each year) “by sometimes modest changes in behavior”. Also, in his last report published on July 23, the Institute insists on the following message: “To know is to be able to act”. According to experts, by drinking less, reducing cigarettes and getting tested and vaccinated according to the recommendations of health authorities, we could greatly reduce our risk of developing lung, liver, breast or uterine cancer. .

Regarding lung cancer, “tobacco is still responsible for 45,000 deaths each year and is still the first risk factor for cancer”, explains the Institute. “Indeed, in 2018, the number of new cases of lung cancer is estimated at 31,231 in men and 15,132 in women, the third most common cancer”, it is specified in the report. And this, even if 1,600,000 daily smokers successfully quit between 2016 and 2018. Also, the fight is still far from over and the new national tobacco control program 2018-2022 continues its actions, notably planning to raise the price of a pack of cigarettes to 10 euros by 2020.

Another addiction very harmful to health: the alcohol, the second main risk factor with 15,000 cancers per year. In particular, it increases the risk of cancer of the breast, colon, mouth, esophagus and liver. However, “Nearly 87% of men and 76% of women consume it every week (…). The perception of the risk caused by alcohol remains erroneous in the majority of the population”, deplores the report. If most people think that cancer is favored only from two to three drinks a day, the risk actually increases with each drink drunk.

A varied diet and regular physical exercise

In 2015, the third cause of cancer in men was diet and in women overweight and obesity. Each year, “5.4% of new cases of cancer” are attributable to excess weight, the report says. Only a balanced and diversified diet favoring fibres, fruits and vegetables “is a protective factor likely to reduce the risk of cancer”, notes the Institute which also recommends exercising regularly (at least thirty minutes a day).

But changing your lifestyle is not enough. It’s also about getting screened regularly, especially for breast and cervical cancer.

With more than 54,000 new cases detected and nearly 12,000 deaths each year in France, breast cancer is “the most frequent and deadliest in women”. Early detection, however, can reduce the mortality rate of the disease by 15 and 21%, according to Health Insurance. Also, the Institute insists on the importance of being screened once a year.

Vaccination against HPV still very insufficient

In addition, 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed every year in France. However, according to the Inca, “100% of cancers of the cervix are due to HPV infections”. However, “the increase in the rate of vaccination coverage observed in France is encouraging but still very insufficient. At the end of 2017, only 21.4% of 16-year-old girls had received a complete vaccination schedule. The information and communication effort must therefore be continued”, notes the report. which highlights the effectiveness of the vaccine.

And remember that a smear is recommended every three years for women aged 25 to 65 to take cells from the cervix to detect any precancerous (or cancerous) lesions. Each year in France, the smear can detect 31,000, thus preventing the patient from developing cancer in 90% of cases.

In 2018, 400,000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in France, causing 150,000 deaths.