France Launches Targeted Lung Cancer Screening Program Aiming for Nationwide Coverage by 2030

On February 4, 2026, coinciding with World Cancer Day, French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist announced a major initiative to introduce targeted lung cancer screening starting in March 2026. Approximately 20,000 individuals aged 50 to 74, primarily smokers and former smokers with significant tobacco histories, will be screened initially.

This screening program is designed to detect lung cancer earlier, improving prognosis by addressing the current issue that most lung cancers in France are diagnosed at advanced stages, leading to poor survival rates. Lung cancer remains the deadliest cancer in France with 30,400 deaths annually, making early detection a critical public health priority.

The pilot phase will help identify eligible individuals for more widespread screening planned by 2030. Minister Rist stressed that organized screening can reduce lung cancer mortality by 20 to 25 percent. This new program will complement existing organized screenings already established for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers in France.

The lung cancer screening initiative is part of a broader decade-long national cancer strategy spanning 2020 to 2030. President Emmanuel Macron is expected to provide further details regarding the implementation and the significant public investment necessary to support this campaign and augment cancer research and treatment. The government has allocated 1.7 billion euros towards improving cancer prevention and care, with special attention to equitable access across vulnerable populations.

This announcement marks a significant advancement in France's fight against cancer and aims to address longstanding gaps in lung cancer early diagnosis through a structured screening program.