The French Network of Cancer Registries (Francim), the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS), the Biostatistics Department of the Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL), and the National Cancer Institute (INCa) are jointly conducting a scientific partnership program for the epidemiological surveillance of cancer in France. Trends in cancer incidence and mortality in France are at the heart of this surveillance process: this article presents the framework and methodology for producing these indicators. Two types of studies are conducted: those designed to describe trends in cancer incidence and mortality since 1980, and those designed to provide projections for the current year. For each type of study, the following are presented: the data used, the principles of the statistical methods employed, the epidemiological indicators produced, as well as their relevance and frequency of production. The reasons necessitating the use of statistical modeling in these various studies are also explained. (R.A.)