Headlines - Trends in Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Metropolitan France Between 1980 and 2012

The Francim cancer registry network, the Hospices Civils de Lyon, the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance, and the National Cancer Institute have just published an updated study on trends in cancer incidence and mortality in France.

- Incidence. In 2012, the number of new cancer cases was estimated at 355,000 (200,000 in men and 155,000 in women). Among men, prostate cancer remains the most common (56,800 cases per year), followed by lung cancer (28,200 cases) and colorectal cancer (23,200 cases). Among women, breast cancer is the most common (48,800 cases), followed by colorectal cancer (18,900 cases) and lung cancer (11,300 cases). - Cancer deaths. In 2012, this number is estimated at 148,000 deaths (85,000 among men and 63,000 among women). Among men, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths (21,300 deaths per year), ahead of colorectal cancer (9,200 deaths) and prostate cancer (8,900 deaths). Among women, breast cancer is the leading cause (11,886 deaths per year), ahead of lung cancer (8,700 deaths per year) and colorectal cancer (8,400 deaths). - Trends between 1980 and 2012. The number of new cases has increased significantly (+107.6% among men and +111.4% among women). The number of cancer deaths has also increased by 11% among men and by 20.3% among women. These increases are partly explained by population growth and aging. When accounting for these two factors, an increase in the incidence rate and a decrease in the mortality rate are observed between 1980 and 2012.

Prevention efforts must be maintained and strengthened for certain solid tumors where a concurrent increase in both incidence and mortality is observed, such as lung cancer in women and skin melanoma in men.