still too few women are getting tested

France — Despite the number of invitations sent to women to participate in organized breast cancer screening, recent data Public Health France (SPF) show a participation rate that remains low – less than 50% – and lower compared to the previous period ^[1].

The National Organized Breast Cancer Screening Program invites women aged 50 to 74 years to undergo screening mammography every 2 years, supplemented by a clinical breast examination. Indeed, with almost 60,000 new cases and 12,000 deaths per year, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in France and the leading cause of cancer deaths.

The French public health service, responsible for the epidemiological evaluation of the program, publishes annually national and regional participation trends and performance indicators and notes that despite the number of invitations sent, participation rates “remain low.” (46.5% for the period 2022-2023), which is lower compared to the previous period (47.7% for the period 2021-2022)” ^[1].

Dynamics of the level of participation in organized breast cancer screening by age – period 2005–2023. (SPF)

Burgundy-Franche-Comté, Normandy and Brittany lead in the number of participants

In 2023, approximately 2,620,500 women received organized screening mammography, representing a national participation rate of 48.2% (up from 44.8% in 2022). Thus, there is an increase in participation in 2023, but participation in the two rolling years of 2022-2023 remains lower than in 2021-2022.

“In 2022-2023, the highest rates of regional participation are observed in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, Normandy and Brittany; the lowest are observed in Guyana, Corsica and PACA,” notes SPF. While most regions of mainland France remain stable or decline in 2022-23 compared to the previous period, Hautes-de-France is experiencing an increase.

Organized breast cancer screening program. 2022-2023 Standardized Agency Participation Rates (SPF).

Note that the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on participation rates in recent years is far from negligible and that the effects of the pandemic should continue to be felt in the coming years, according to the SPF.

The civic body reiterates the importance of regular screening, reminding that participation of all interested women in this program will help reduce deaths from breast cancer.