The 3rd cancer plan 2014-2018 was announced by François Hollande. This new cancer plan, drafted by Professor Jean-Paul Vernant, professor of hematology at Pierre and Marie Curie University, was put in place for the period 2014-2018. It is a continuation of the 2 previous plans and continues the cancer control policy initiated 10 years ago. It will be funded to the tune of 1.5 billion euros.
Strong inequalities in the face of cancer
According to the 3rd cancer plan, “cancer is the main cause of death in France with 148,000 deaths estimated in 2012 and 355,000 new cases per year. “The observation of this plan is alarming because” the individual risk of cancer increases while the risk of death from cancer decreases “and that” in France is the pathology in which health inequalities are very marked compared to other pathologies and compared to other European countries. “
In fact, cancer in France is the main cause of premature death, one of the major causes of preventable mortality, and the main cause of social inequalities in terms of mortality.
However, it is estimated that nearly 80,000 deaths are preventable and can be the subject of preventive measures.
Known risk factors, but ineffective prevention
The main risk factors for cancer are known in the population, which overwhelmingly knows that alcohol and tobacco are harmful. On the other hand, she seems less informed about the importance of sun exposure, diet and physical activity in the fight against cancer. On the other hand, for all risk factors, information is not the same according to the level of income, and of studies, and the socio-professional category.
Paradoxically, the preventive measures, taken for nearly 10 years, have been all the less effective the greater the risk factors. Thus, progress has been noticed for sun exposure, nutrition or physical activity. However, the tobacco control policy carried out in France since 2004 has been a failure, above all for disadvantaged social categories who have increased their consumption in recent years.
For the third Cancer Plan, Professor Jean-Paul Vernant announces “that five transversal axes have been identified as priorities: the central role of the general practitioner must be reinforced, better patient association, the organization of information systems, the development of personalized medicine and better consideration of the financial impact of illness and treatment on social and professional life must be put in place ”.
