Cancer is the leading cause of death in France

What is the context of the fight against cancer in Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur? François de CANSON. Cancer is the leading cause of death in France with nearly 450,000 new cases per year, including 35,000 in the Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur region.

In the Région Sud, risk factors (smoking and alcohol consumption) are higher than the national average. There is an over-incidence and excess mortality of certain cancers in men and women (cervical cancer). In addition, the participation rate in organized screening is lower here than the average in France (36% compared to 48% for breast cancer).

What does the regional Cancer Plan 2022-2027 contain? FdC. The first regional cancer plan 2017-2022 mobilized nearly 28 million euros.

The second 2022-2027 plan has a budget of 40 million euros and is based on 4 axes: Improving screening and prevention, strengthening the care offer and support for families, developing research and reinforcing innovation. Between 2022 and 2025, 20 million € (out of the 40 million in the 2022-2027 plan) were mobilized. Since 2017, the Région Sud has already committed nearly 50 million.

Why is the question of screening crucial? FdC. While pancreatic and lung cancers are progressing considerably in women, breast cancer still represents 33% of female cancers and is the leading cause of cancer death in women.

Nevertheless, this cancer is one of the three cancers (after prostate and melanoma) with the best survival rate (88%, which is 9 points higher than in 1990). Today, 60% of breast cancers are detected at an early stage. That is better, but it can still be improved.

Several types of screening exist: special follow-up for very high-risk patients, annual clinical examination from age 25, mammogram every two years between 50 and 74. It is in this context that all information actions on breast cancer screening are grouped. Breast cancers could be avoided each year in France by adopting the right behaviors (no tobacco or alcohol, with a good diet, etc.)

Therefore, prevention and access to screening must be reinforced.

What is the mammobile? FdC. It is a truck equipped to carry out examinations and which will deploy throughout the region to meet the population, as part of organized screening.

It is of medium size to go everywhere where there is no senology clinic. This system will enter service in March or April 2026. This project is the result of a partnership between the Région Sud, Assurance maladie, and the Agence régional de Santé.

The Région Sud has already voted a budget of €500,000 to support it. What does the deployment of such equipment allow? FdC.

To improve the breast cancer screening rate in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, targeting remote municipalities and at-risk populations, to reduce waiting times for mammography appointments, which can reach several months, and to raise awareness and educate local populations about the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

Its organization will be handled by the three Unicancer centers of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: the Institut Paoli Calmettes in Marseille, the Centre Antoine Lacassagne in Nice, and the Institut Sainte-Catherine in Avignon.