Headlines - At what stage are breast, colon, and rectal cancers diagnosed in France?

Santé publique France, the National Cancer Institute (INCa), the French Network of Cancer Registries (Francim network), and the Biostatistics Department of the Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL) have published the first national estimate of the distribution of stages at diagnosis for breast, colon, and rectal cancers (2009–2012, metropolitan France) (1). Initial findings show that:- 60% of breast cancers, 44% of colon cancers, and 47% of rectal cancers are diagnosed at an early stage in France,- early-stage diagnosis is most common among those aged 40–74, the age group targeted by organized screening programs,- the proportion of cancers diagnosed at an advanced stage was higher among people aged 75 and older, - the distribution of stages at diagnosis between men and women for colon and rectal cancers was similar, - the distribution of stages at diagnosis remained stable over the four-year study period.

Breast cancer: Among women, breast cancer is the most common (more than 59,000 new cases each year) and causes 12,000 deaths annually. Registry data show that 6 out of 10 breast cancers are diagnosed at an early stage (limited local spread), 3 out of 10 at an intermediate stage (regional spread), and 1 out of 10 at an advanced stage. Two-thirds of breast cancers are diagnosed at an early stage among those aged 50–74, compared to 59% of those under 50 and 42% of those over 74. The most advanced cancers are diagnosed more frequently in women over 74.

Colorectal cancer: With 45,000 new cases detected and 18,000 deaths each year, colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer. Forty-four percent of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at an early stage, and one-third at an advanced stage. The disease is diagnosed at an early stage in 48% of people aged 40–74, but more often at an advanced stage in those under 40 (38%) and those over 74 (37%). Forty-seven percent of rectal cancers are diagnosed at an early stage, and 34% at an advanced stage. Cancers diagnosed at an advanced stage are more common among those over 74 years of age (42%).