Estimates of cancer incidence in France in 1995 put the number of new cases at nearly 240,000. Fifty-six percent of these cancers occurred in men. Overall, cancer accounts for 27% of all causes of death; more specifically, it accounts for 31% of deaths among men and 22% of deaths among women. As the leading cause of death among men, cancer ranks second among women, following cardiovascular disease. The estimated incidence of cancer has been rising steadily since 1975 for both men and women, with a more pronounced increase among men (+21% versus +16%). However, the increase appears to have slowed since 1990 for both sexes. Mortality, which had been rising steadily since 1950, remained relatively stable over these two decades among men (+4%) and saw a slight decline among women during this period (-8%). This trend among men should be viewed in parallel with a decrease in mortality from ENT cancers (mouth, lips, pharynx), esophageal cancers, stomach cancers, and colorectal cancers. On a positive note, premature male mortality decreased by 9% between 1990 and 1995. Among women, the overall decrease between 1975 and 1995 is largely attributed to the decline in stomach, cervical, and colorectal cancers. The estimated incidence of cancer in France in 1995 stands at nearly 240,000 new cases, with 56% of these cancers occurring in men. Cancers account for 27% of all causes of death overall, and more specifically, 31% of deaths among men and 22% of deaths among women. The leading cause of death among men, cancer ranks second among women after cardiovascular disease. The estimated incidence of cancer has been rising steadily since 1975 for both men and women, with a more pronounced increase among men (+21% versus +16%). However, the increase appears to have slowed since 1990 for both sexes. Mortality, which had been rising steadily since 1950, remained relatively stable over these two decades among men (+4%) and saw a slight decline among women during this period (-8%). This trend among men should be viewed in parallel with a decrease in mortality from ENT cancers (mouth, lips, pharynx), esophageal cancers, stomach cancers, and colorectal cancers. On a positive note, premature male mortality decreased by 9% between 1990 and 1995. For women, the overall decline between 1975 and 1995 is largely due to decreases in stomach, cervical, and colorectal cancers.