A concerning trend is emerging in France: lung cancer has overtaken breast cancer as the principal cause of cancer-related deaths among women, according to recent reports. This shift, revealed by Dr. Vincent valinducq, underscores the lasting impact of tobacco use, which contributes to an estimated 75,000 deaths annually in the country, and signals a rising vulnerability among female populations. While smoking remains a major factor, a growing number of cases are appearing in individuals who have never smoked, prompting inquiry into environmental and biological contributors.
Lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death among women, according to Dr. Vincent Valinducq, speaking on the French television program Bonjour ! la matinale. This sobering statistic comes as public health campaigns, like the Month Without Tobacco, aim to reduce smoking rates. The impact of tobacco use remains significant, contributing to 75,000 deaths annually in France – an average of 200 deaths each day – and increasingly affecting women.
While breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, lung cancer now accounts for more fatalities. The trend is concerning, with an estimated 20,000 new lung cancer cases diagnosed in women in 2025, representing a 4.3% annual increase. In contrast, the incidence of lung cancer among men has plateaued in recent years.
Why the Rise in Cases Among Women?
Dr. Valinducq attributes the surge in lung cancer cases among women to the delayed effects of increased tobacco use decades ago. “Explosion of cancers 10, 20, 30, 40 years after this increase in tobacco consumption,” he explained in an interview with Femme Actuelle. The significant rise in female smoking rates between 1970 and 2000 is now manifesting in current cancer statistics.
However, smoking is no longer the sole explanation. Professor Paul De Leyn, a pulmonary surgeon at UZ Leuven, has observed a troubling trend: “We are seeing more and more people who have never smoked in their lives developing lung cancer.” He notes that nearly one in five patients now fall into this category, and a growing proportion are women, as reported by rtbf actu. Researchers are investigating potential contributing factors, including air pollution and hormonal influences, though definitive evidence remains elusive.
Further complicating the issue, women appear to be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of tobacco than men. Dr. Bertrand Mennecier, from the CHRU of Strasbourg, stated that women “develop lung cancer earlier than men with the same level of smoking, or at the same age as men but with a lower level of smoking.” He added, “Women seem to exhibit a greater susceptibility to both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances in tobacco.” This finding highlights the need for targeted prevention and early detection efforts.
Could Widespread Screening Be Available by 2030?
Currently, there is no organized screening program for lung cancer, unlike those available for breast and colon cancer. However, this may soon change. In January, the National Cancer Institute (INCa) launched an experimental program called IMPULSION, aiming to offer early screening to 20,000 volunteers aged 50 to 74 who are current or former smokers. Participants will be individuals “who are smokers and former smokers, having quit less than 15 years ago, with, for example, a cumulative smoking history of at least 20 pack-years.”
Participants will undergo low-dose CT scans annually for the first year, then every two years. The program also includes support for smoking cessation. Projections suggest this combined approach could reduce the risk of death by 38%.
For those looking to quit smoking, Dr. Valinducq emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help: “I invite you to talk to your doctor, a tobacco specialist, an addiction specialist, a psychologist… It’s really with a team that will support you to quit.” Nicotine replacement therapies can be prescribed by various healthcare professionals and are covered by health insurance.
Despite a recent encouraging decline in smoking rates in 2024, Santé publique France warns that “the burden of tobacco remains heavy.” It remains “the leading cause of preventable death in France.”
