Breast, uterus, colon: why Occitania is not always a good student in cancer screening

Vaccination contre le papillomavirus au collège Rabelais de Montpellier. Midi Libre – JEAN MICHEL MART

À l’occasion de la journée mondiale de lutte contre le cancer, ce mardi 4 février, Santé publique France publie les chiffres du dépistage, région par région : ils sont contrastés, et l’Occitanie fait souvent figure de mauvaise élève.

Cancer prevention and screening, how is Occitanie doing ? Santé publique France publishes the figures for adherence to vaccination against papillomavirus, and participation in cervical cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer prevention campaigns, in line with the traditional day of the fight against cancer, this Tuesday, February 4.

In a nutshell: with 52.8% of 15-year-old girls with one dose of vaccine against papillomavirus, and 43.8% with two doses, Occitanie is lagging behind in protection against HPV in mainland France, behind Paca and the Ile de France. On the other hand, 61.4% of women participate in cervical cancer screening, compared to 59.3% in France.

For breast cancer screening, Occitanie (61% participation) is not more invested, behind Hauts de France (56%).

On colorectal cancer, the region remains among the poor performers: 46.4% of men participate, 47.4% of women.

Prevention of cervical cancer: less vaccinated in Occitanie, but good adherence to screening

“Cervical cancer remains a major public health problem in France, with around 3,100 new cases and 1,100 deaths annually”, recalls Santé publique France, which points out that cancer is preventable thanks to HPV vaccination, “recommended and reimbursed since 2007 for adolescent girls, and extended to boys in 2021”.

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“Complementary”, the “regular screening is recommended for women aged 25 to 65”.

In Occitanie, the situation is mixed: on vaccination, the region is lagging behind the French average, “54.6% for at least one dose among girls aged 15, and 44.7% for both doses among girls aged 16” in 2023.

In Occitanie: 52.8% for at least one dose, 43.8% for both doses. In metropolitan France, only the Ile-de-France (45.8% and 36.3%) and Paca (46.6% and 37%) are doing less well.

Low vaccination coverage against papillomavirus. DR – PUBLIC HEALTH FRANCE

On the other hand, 61.4% of the target population of women participates in cervical cancer screening, the best figures of the French regions behind Brittany (66.3%), Auvergne-Rhône Alpe (66.2%) and Pays-de-la-Loire (62.3%).

Cervical cancer screening: the region on the front line. DR – SANTE PUBLIQUE FRANCE

Breast cancer: 58% of women in Occitanie get screened

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in women, with 12,000 deaths per year.

What is the real screening rate, given that France is a poor performer in organized screening (for women aged 50 to 74), with 50% participation, when the European recommendation is 70%?

Public Health France has included data on screening carried out at the initiative of women in its estimates. The figures thus increase by +10%, for a screening rate of 60%.

But Occitanie is still lagging behind: 58% of women are screened, which is one of the lowest rates in mainland France.

Colorectal cancer screening: falling back

“In France, participation in the National Organized Colorectal Cancer Screening Program is low, below European recommendations”, recalls Santé publique France.

Colorectal cancer screening: Occitanie not very involved. DR – PUBLIC HEALTH FRANCE

Colorectal cancer is however “the second leading cause of death by cancer. It represents each year more than 47,000 new cases and more than 17,000 deaths”.

In Occitanie, the coverage rate is 46.4% for men (47% in mainland France) and 47.4% for women (49.1% in France).

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