France Launches National Cancer Register to Combat Rising Cancer Cases
Breaking News: National Cancer Register Approved
In a significant move to combat the escalating rise in cancer cases, the National Assembly of France has unanimously approved the creation of a comprehensive national register. This groundbreaking initiative aims to gather data on all cases of cancer occurring in France to improve the understanding of its epidemiology and associated risk factors, particularly those related to the environment.
Targeting Prevention, Understanding, and Treatment
Health Minister Yannick Neuder expressed that the goal of the National Cancer Register, supported by a ten-year strategy to combat cancer from 2021-2030, is to prevent, understand, and treat cancer more effectively. “Better to prevent, better understand, and treat better Cancer,” he emphasized, highlighting the ambition behind the new register.
A Rising Tide of Cancer Cases
With 433,000 new cases diagnosed in 2023 alone and being the leading cause of premature mortality with 162,400 deaths in 2021, cancer is a pressing healthcare concern. The new register will seek to uncover the genetic and environmental factors contributing to the incidence and geographic spread of cancer, with an estimated 80% increase in cases by 2050 due to an aging population.
FROM 33 LOCAL REGISTERS TO NATIONAL UNIFICATION
Currently, 33 local cancer registers cover less than a quarter of France’s population. This new national register aims to unify these scattered data points into a cohesive dataset. “Inca will play a pivotal role, ensuring intelligent articulation between local and national data,” explained Nicolas Scotté, Managing Director of the National Cancer Institute.
Empowering Research with Environmentally Focused Insights
Dr. Claire Morgand, Director of Data Sciences and Evaluation at INCa, stressed the current limitations in understanding environmental risks. “We can describe the impact and prevalence, but we lack the data to pinpoint specific environmental factors responsible for certain cancers,” underscoring the need for a more robust data framework.
Future Accessibility and Integration
The new register, slated to cost 16 million euros annually, is to be implemented by early 2026. It will integrate data from the existing cancer data platform, encompassing 12 million patients, to enhance “after-care monitoring with issues related to employment, disability, and sequelae,” Scotté detailed.
Evergreen Context: The Growing Cancer Concern
Cancer ranks as the second most common cause of premature death globally, according to the World Health Organization. Effective prevention and treatment strategies are key, as outlined in the recently adopted register. France’s commitment to understanding and battling cancer will make it a leading integrator in European cancer research initiatives, significantly contributing to future healthcare strategies.
