Participation rates in the organized breast cancer screening program in 2025 and trends since 2005
The French organized breast cancer screening program invites women aged 50 to 74 to undergo a clinical breast exam and a screening mammogram every two years. It offers immediate diagnostic evaluation in the event of suspicious results and a second reading of every mammogram that was initially deemed normal. The program has been in place throughout France since 2004. Screening is coordinated at the regional level by the Regional Cancer Screening Coordination Centers (CRCDC). Participation rates for this program, calculated for the years 2005 through 2025, are presented below at the national, departmental, and regional levels.
The tables, figures, and map illustrating temporal and geographic variations for the period 2005–2025 are available for download at the bottom of the page.
Key Findings
Following the reorganization of the national organized cancer screening program in January 2024, the targeting, frequency, and procedures for sending invitations to individuals were modified. Some data, particularly regarding invitations, are still missing, but the number of invitations sent in 2024–2025 appears to be slightly lower than in 2022–2023.
The standardized participation rate of the target population in the PNDOCS was 47.5% in 2025 and 43.9% in 2024, for an average of 45.7% for the 2024–2025 period. By comparison, it was 46.6% for the 2022–2023 period.
This decline in PNDOCS participation is observed across all age groups, with the exception of a recent stabilization among those aged 50–54.
When comparing 2024–2025 to 2022–2023 across mainland France, a decline is observed except in Normandy, Hauts-de-France, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Occitanie, and Corsica.
When comparing 2024–2025 to 2022–2023 in the overseas departments and regions (DROM), excluding Mayotte, participation has stagnated in Martinique and French Guiana, risen slightly in Guadeloupe, and fallen sharply in Réunion.
Participation in the PNDOCS continues to trend downward. The trend in participation rates shows that this steady decline began in the mid-2010s.
Local stakeholders regularly report problems with access to mammography, which may be a consequence of the overall decline in breast care services.
The potential consequences of the reorganization of targeting and the mailing of invitations have yet to be assessed, particularly with regard to the characteristics of women participating in the PNDOCS before and after the changes. In particular, the possibility that some eligible women may switch from organized screening to screening outside the PNDOCS program will need to be assessed.
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6 July 2026
Participation in the National Organized Breast Cancer Screening Program in 2024–2025 and Trends Since 2010
Tables to Download
- Table 1: Number and Rate of Women Participating in the Organized Breast Cancer Screening Program (Biannual); National, Regional, and Departmental, by Age, 2024–2025
- Table 2: Number and rate of women participating in the organized breast cancer screening program (annual and biannual); national, regional, and departmental, 2005–2025
- Table 3: Number and percentage of women participating in the organized annual and biannual breast cancer screening program; national, regional, by age, 2005–2025
Figures to Download
- Figure 1a: Trends in the annual participation rate in the organized breast cancer screening program, all ages and by age group, France as a whole, 2005–2025. Sources: Data from INSEE’s CRCDC and ELP. Analysis by Santé publique France, April 2026
- Figure 1b: Trends in participation rates in the organized breast cancer screening program by 2-year rolling period, all ages and by age group, all of France, 2005–2025. Sources: Data from INSEE’s CRCDC and ELP. Analysis by Santé publique France, April 2026
- Figure 2a: Trends in participation rates in the organized breast cancer screening program, by 2-year rolling period, by region of mainland France, 2005–2025. Sources: Data from INSEE’s CRCDC and ELP. Analysis by Santé publique France, April 2026
- Figure 2b: Trends in participation rates in the organized breast cancer screening program, by 2-year rolling period, by DROM (excluding Mayotte), 2005–2025. Sources: Data from INSEE’s CRCDC and ELP. Processed by Santé publique France, April 2026
Downloadable map
Open data indicators on Odissé.fr
- Access indicators on participation in the national organized breast cancer screening program
References
- Lapôtre-Ledoux B, Remontet L, Uhry Z, Dantony E, Grosclaude P, Molinié F, Woronoff A-S, Lecoffre-Bernard C, Lafay L, Defossez G, D’Almeida T. Incidence of major cancers in metropolitan France in 2023 and trends since 1990. Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2023, No. 12–13, pp. 188–204.
- Quintin C, Chatignoux E, Plaine J, Hamers FF, Rogel A. Coverage rate of opportunistic and organized breast cancer screening in France: Department-level estimation. Cancer Epidemiol. Dec 2022;81:102270
- Rogel A, Plaine J, Quintin C, de Maria F. Participation in the organized breast cancer screening program between 2005 and 2021 in France. Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin. 2023;(14):255–65.
- Rogel A, Plaine J. Bulletin. Organized Screening. Participation in the organized breast cancer screening program, 2022–2023, and trends since 2010. National edition. July 2024. Saint-Maurice: Santé publique France, 10 p. Editor-in-Chief: Caroline Semaille
- Rogel A, Plaine J, Quintin C. Total breast cancer screening coverage, both within and outside the organized program, from 2016 to 2022 in mainland France. Bull Épidémiol Hebd 2025;(3-4):41-7.
- Zhang L, Mosquera I, Lucas E, Rol ML, Carvalho AL, Basu P; CanScreen5 collaborators. CanScreen5, a global repository for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening programs. Nat Med. May 2023;29(5):1135-1145.
All publications on breast cancer screening
All publications on breast cancer screening