Each year October is dedicated to raising awareness of women's breast cancer screening as part of the "Pink October" campaign. The opportunity to know the opinion of all the French on the subject and their level of information. Beyond this disease, an Odoxa survey for Adréa Mutuelle focused more generally on the level of knowledge about women's cancers and the results show that this subject is less well known in the population. Respondents asked to express themselves spontaneously about those they know have cited breast cancer in the first place (91% of them) who, with more than 50 000 cases per year in France, is the most common female cancers.
But far behind, the second-most-cited female cancer is diagnosed by only one French person in two: this is cancer of the uterus or the endometrium. Even more worrying, only one in five French men report ovarian cancer even though it is the fourth deadliest in women. Finally, cervical cancer, often confused with that of the uterus, is cited in these terms by only 12% of French and 16% of women affected by cancer. Especially since the knowledge of the disease does not preclude the received ideas to continue, proof is with breast cancer. In fact, 25% of respondents believe that it is transmitted only from mother to daughter.
Too many misconceptions still conveyed
In fact, only 10% of cancers are linked to genetic predispositions and 40% are caused by lifestyle-related risk factors as reported by the National Cancer Institute (INCA). Nearly half of those surveyed (46%) also think that breast cancer only affects women, but it does exist in men. Although less widespread, the idea of advising people with cancer to do sports is mentioned by 15% of those surveyed. However, the Inca recommends daily physical activity to reduce fatigue related to the disease, improve tolerance to treatment and prevent the risk of recurrence.
The survey also wants to end another misconception that the HPV vaccine does not cause multiple sclerosis. Australia, which is very widespread in other countries, has just announced that in less than 20 years it will no longer have any new cases. This vaccination has a bad reputation in France where the rate is around 20%. It is recommended for girls aged 11 to 14 years with two or three injections depending on the vaccine. "In 2017, after the administration of 270 million doses and the vaccination of more than 60 million people, WHO has still not observed a serious adverse event related to the vaccine. "Says Adréa Mutuelle.
Smear, mammography ... screening tests rather well followed
On the other hand, French women are more aware of prevention recommendations. According to the study, 78% of women are smeared at least every three years to detect HPV-related lesions, following the recommendations of the INCA and WHO. Still, 8% of the women concerned never make it and 14% do it less often than recommended, with the main reason being that they do not always think about it (39%). The other two reasons mentioned are more worrying: 27% of them say that they do not find a gynecologist they trust and 23% say that this type of examination is not necessary.
On the mammography side, 77% of women surveyed over the age of 50 perform one at least once every two years, as recommended by the health authorities. In women with cancer, the rate rises to 80%. But there are still 23% of women in this age group who do not apply these tips including 5% who never do this test. However, the earlier the breast cancers are detected, the greater the chances of a cure: the 5-year survival is 99% at an early stage. "These figures encourage us to continue our actions in favor of prevention and awareness of screening. "Conclude the survey authors.
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