October Pink campaign highlights breast cancer screening and risk factors in France

In France, breast cancer remains the most common and deadliest cancer for women, with over 61,000 diagnoses and more than 12,000 deaths reported in 2023. The October Pink initiative promotes free mammography every two years for women aged 50 to 74 and encourages self-palpation and yearly clinical examinations for younger women. Specialists highlight that early-stage detection leads to a high likelihood of cure and often allows less intensive therapy.

While screening carries risks such as overdiagnosis and radiation exposure, authorities recommend it based on a favorable benefit-risk balance. Additional risk factors include genetics, obesity, alcohol use, and hormonal treatments, with specific monitoring protocols for those carrying hereditary mutations.