Incidence and its Evolution from 2000 to 2020 of Cancers Among Adolescents and Young Adults (15-39 years) in French Departments Covered by a General Cancer Registry. Study Based on Cancer Registries from the Francim Network (EPI-AJA Project 2022)
Published: March 3, 2025
The Francim cancer registry network, the Hospices Civils de Lyon, the French National Cancer Institute, and Santé Publique France have released results from a new study funded by the Ligue contre le cancer, examining cancer incidence among adolescents and young adults (AYA; ages 15-39). The EPI-AJA study presents:
(i) The distribution of cancers by age group,
(ii) Overall cancer incidence (“all cancers”) between 2000 and 2020, and
(iii) Trends in incidence rates for specific cancer groups and subgroups over the period 2000-2020 in the population aged 15-39, across French departments covered by a general cancer registry.
The study analyzed data from 54,785 individuals, based on 14 cancer registries covering 19 departments and representing 24% of the metropolitan population for cancer distribution and overall incidence throughout the entire period. Data from 11 registries covering 18% of the population were used to assess incidence trends from 2000 to 2020. The study did not aim to extrapolate results nationally, as territorial representativeness has not been established for this specific population.
This report is the fourth PTP study regarding cancer incidence in adolescents and young adults, but it is distinct because it focuses on a broader age range (15-39 years) compared to the previous study (15-24 years). Additionally, cancers were categorized using the new Barr classification published in 2020. Unlike the previous classification, this new system categorizes cancers not only by the affected organ but also by the type of cell involved. For instance, it distinguishes between neuroendocrine tumors of the appendix and carcinomas of the appendix. This change in classification limits comparability with earlier surveillance studies.
Changes in cancer incidence from 2000-2020 may be associated with:
(i) Evolutions in diagnostic and therapeutic practices,
(ii) Changes in coding and registry practices, and
(iii) Increases or decreases in actual cancer risk.
Throughout the study period, six cancers showed a continuous increase in incidence: Hodgkin’s lymphoma, glioblastoma, liposarcoma, and carcinomas of the kidney, breast, and colorectal cancers. Except for liposarcoma, which remains very rare among adolescents and young adults, similar increases have been observed in other countries.
Authors: Emmanuel Desandes, Gaëlle Coureau, Brigitte Lacour, Jacqueline Clavel, Perrine Marec-Bérard
Year of publication: 2025
