Epidemiology of colorectal cancer in France

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common in women. The aim of this study is to describe trends in incidence and survival in France. Incidence data were obtained from the FRANCIM network (22 general registries, 3 specialized digestive registries) representing 22% of the mainland population. Net survival, i.e., the hypothetical survival that would be observed if the only possible cause of death for individuals with cancer were their cancer, was calculated. The number of colorectal cancer cases rose from 16,457 in 1990 to 26,212 in 2023 in men, and from 13,897 to 21,370 in women. Taking into account aging and demographic changes in the general population, the risk actually decreased by 21% in men and 4% in women. France was among the high-risk countries, more so for colon cancer than for rectal cancer. Net survival improved over time for both sexes. At five years, it was 65% for patients diagnosed in 2015. The risk of cancer-related death was highest during the first year. For one-year survivors, five-year survival was 78% for 70-year-old men after colon cancer, and 75% for similar women. Five years after diagnosis, the risk of cancer-related death was low. Comparison of survival between European countries according to stage shows that there was no difference in five-year net survival rates for cancers diagnosed at stage I, while the magnitude of differences between countries increased with the stage.