Cancer treatment in France
Residents aged 50 and over are invited to visit screenings for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers
Routine screening
France offers routine screening campaigns for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers. From age 50, you will receive an invitation to visit screening centres. All of the cost of this is covered for tests for breast cancer, cancer of the cervix, colon and rectum and you will not be asked to pay anything in advance.
The main cancers tested for grow slowly and symptoms can take a while to appear. Screening means potential problems can be picked up at a very early stage. If you fall outside the target groups, or if your test comes back positive and you need further checks, you may need to pay for consultations and claim back the cost. Bring proof of identity, your carte Vitale, your top-up health insurance card if you have one and your blood group card.
It is a good idea to ask your doctor to include a blood grouping analysis with the first test because you will need your blood group card if you ever need an operation.
Improved care
Cancer charities say France benefits from generally good cancer care, with improvements in recent years in areas such as better-adapted care for children, the elderly and people with rare cancers.
The Ligue Contre le Cancer also welcomed the creation of a body to study how social factors are linked to illness, and how they affect patients. For example, the impact of poverty and how having cancer can cause hardship and lead to a vicious circle of related problems.
A Ligue spokesman also pointed to the development of clear guidelines on how people are told that they have cancer so this is carried out in a considerate way. Cancer care in France has often been centralised into specialist centres in recent years. France is also a leader in research into new ways of fighting cancer, such as personalised cancer vaccines, which are undergoing trials.
Community support
A member of the south Dordogne branch of Cancer Support France, a national charity helping English-speaking cancer victims, told how his wife developed breast cancer and it took less than 10 days between discovery and operation.
“The treatment was excellent and the regularity of follow-up was brilliant,” he said. “People may have to travel a bit further, but these ‘centres of excellence’ are just that.” He said points that could be improved would include better palliative care, which he said was “patchy.”
The charity can provide free interpreters if language is a problem. The Ligue Contre le Cancer also offers a free help line on 0800 940 939, psychological help and support groups, and support for family and friends.
Common types
Cancer is the main cause of death among men and the second cause among women, according to the Ligue Contre le Cancer. The median age of diagnosis is respectively 70 and 68. The most common types, in order, are prostate, breast, colorectal and lung.
The government says that in most cases it is becoming possible to detect and treat them earlier, giving patients a better chance of recovery, and with fewer lasting negative effects. They say lifestyle factors often contribute – the best bet for prevention is to stop smoking and reduce alcohol consumption, while exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet.
Cancer plans
A series of national ‘cancer plans’ have been undertaken to fight the disease in 2003-2007, 2009-2013 and 2014-2019. The latter aimed to involve 50,000 patients a year in clinical trials for new treatments to improve survival rates and reduce side effects. Currently there is a 10-year ‘strategy’ in place for 2021-2030 (see more later in this chapter).
Authorisation to treat cancer
In France, some 860 hospitals and institutes are authorised to treat cancer. This is part of efforts to ensure cancer treatments follow the most up-to-date guidelines and best practices.
Helplines
Cancer Support France is a charity that helps English-speakers in France affected by cancer, and their loved ones. It has a network of support groups offering advice, hospital visits and translation help.
You can contact them by phone on 0810 240 200 (local call rate) or email helpline@cancersupportfrance.org
The Institut National du Cancer has information about how to avoid, detect and treat major types of cancer. See its website e-cancer.fr
Advice on stopping smoking can be found at tabac-info-service.fr or by calling 3989