[Descriptive epidemiology of gynecologic and breast cancers]

The epidemiology of gynecological and breast cancers are better known in France as a result of the mortality data provided by INSERM and the mortality data obtained from the French Tumor Register. Breast cancers are the most common form of cancer in women, accounting for about 30 p. cent of tumors (excluding skin cancers) followed by cancers of the uterine cervix, uterine body and the ovary. The change in incidence shows a definite reduction in the number of uterine cancers over the past 10 years, whereas the incidence of breast cancers is rising by 1 to 2 p. cent per year. Mortality due to breast cancer has risen steadily in France since 1950, particularly in higher age groups. At birth, the risk of developing a breast cancers is 7 p. cent, i.e. one woman in 14 will develop a breast cancer. The figures for cancers of the uterus and ovary are much lower. Survival curves for various types of cancer confirm the steady decline in survival for breast cancers, whereas for cancers of the cervix, uterine body and ovary, mortality rates stabilize after 5 years. The risk of a secondary cancer remains very high for breast tumors, and half the cases of a secondary tumor involve a contralateral breast tumor. In general, there is an increased risk of a secondary cancer after a primary gynecological tumor.