France: Lung Cancer Country Profile
France performs fairly well across all five domains, scoring ’high’ in the second domain, ‘moderately high’ in the first and fourth
domains, ‘moderate’ in the fifth, and ‘moderately low ’ in the third. The third domain’s performance is because neither timeframes
nor fast-tracking for diagnostic testing is discussed, and there is no rapid referral or pathway to secondary or tertiary care. The fifth
domain’s performance is because France’s cancer registry is rated high quality on a regional basis, not national, and the complete
vital registration component is medium quality. The first domain improves with development of a lung cancer specific control
plan, identification of a funding source in the National Cancer Control Plan, and a discussion on screening in the clinical guidelines.
Addressing reimbursement of histological tests and including psychological support pathways in the guidelines will improve the
fourth domain. We discuss opportunities for improvement at the end of this country profile.
There is hope that lung cancer diagnosis and treatment will be aided by the launch in autumn 2019 of the Health Data Hub. The
Hub is a unique health database in which a digital patient identity will be developed by matching biologic and behavioural data
to provide diagnostic assistance or monitor therapeutic progress. It will encompass a clinical registry, including information on
treatment and reimbursement, and combine health data from a range of sources. Workshop participants noted the stigma still
surrounding lung cancer in France and stressed the importance of psychological support and palliative care, both of which should
be initiated at diagnosis.
Summary scorecard
Domain Austria Belgium Finland France Netherlands Norway Poland Romania Spain Sweden UK
Lung cancer
is a strategic
priority
MH
Lung cancer
is a public
health issue
H
Lung cancer
is a race
against time
ML
Lung cancer
is at a
crossroads
MH
Lung cancer
is a focus for
research
M
Key
Low Moderately low Moderate Moderately high High
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