In a report published this Monday, May 13, the European Cancer Organization warns of the French figures compared to its European neighbors. In particular, we learn that tobacco causes up to 60% more deaths in France than in other countries…
The European Cancer Organization (ECO) publishes a series of worrying data concerning France. The number of cancer victims is higher there than elsewhere in Europe. For well-identified reasons.
The ravages of tobacco
France is among the European countries with the highest proportions of smokers, a major risk factor for many cancers. Around 25% of the population smokes daily, compared to the European average of 18%. The ECO emphasizes that this excessive smoking “kills more than 48,000 French people each year, up to 60% more than in other European countries”.
The role of medical deserts
Another point of alert concerns access to care: a third of the population lives in a medical desert, particularly affecting rural areas and elderly populations. Furthermore, France has 1.52 oncologists per 100,000 inhabitants. This is twice less than the European average (3.24).
Less effective screening
The rates of certain screenings are also lower in France: while the breast cancer screening rate is 54% on average in Europe, it is only 46.9% in France. The same goes for colorectal cancer where the participation rate in organized screening is 36% in Europe compared to 34.6% in France.
How to improve the situation
Faced with these statistics, the ECO launched the European Manifesto against cancer, which includes clear objectives ahead of the European elections:
- Adopt a minimum age of 21 for the sale of tobacco (“tobacco 21”) to achieve a tobacco-free generation by 2040;
- Tax new tobacco and nicotine products in the same way as cigarettes and increase tax rates on cigarettes and tobacco;
- Develop a European action plan for healthcare personnel, including measures against shortages of oncology professionals across Europe…
High survival rates in France
Among the few positive points, France stands out for its high survival rates for several important cancers. For example, the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer is 87% (compared to 83% on average in Europe), 64% for colorectal cancer (compared to 60%) and 93% for cancer of the prostate (compared to 87%).