Comité Héraultais de la Ligue Contre le Cancer

Dr. Henri Pujol.

The French League Against Cancer, a charitable organization founded after World War I, is a major player in the fight against cancer. The League’s goal is to come to the aid of cancer patients, their family and friends. Since its founding in 1918, the League has developed into a strong network that leads the fight on several fronts: research, information and prevention, and psychosocial assistance for patients.

France offers its citizens a national health system. Over the past decade, with cancer incidence on the rise, the government has demonstrated a renewed interest in coordinating the management of cancer prevention, treatment and research. As a federation of 102 departmental committees that works to relay to the public the mission of the administrative council and the national scientific council, the League is one of two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) supporting France’s fight against cancer.

At its helm, until 2007, was one of the country’s most experienced cancer experts. Henri Pujol, the president of the National Federation Against Cancer from 1983 to 1997 and president of the League Against Cancer from 1998-2007, now directs the League’s Hérault Committee located within Languedoc Roussillon, a winemaking region in the south of France.

Even in this lovely part of the world, cancer incidence is on the rise. Since 2002, cancer has become the primary cause of death in France, usurping that dubious distinction from coronary heart disease. “More and more people are cured, but at the same time more and more people develop cancer because of the aging population,” notes Dr. Pujol. “Today, one death in three in France is caused by cancer. These statistics led the government to develop several action plans to fight cancer.”

With input from Dr. Pujol, the first of these plans was launched by Dominique Gillot, then Secretary of State for Health, in 2000. Three years later, President Jacques Chirac launched a second action plan, and France’s current president, Nicolas Sarkozy, has a third plan in development. With nearly two million French people affected by this disease, cancer is not just a medical problem, says Dr. Pujol, but a social one as well. The citizens of France are demanding action.

“Any successful national plan must emphasize the importance of prevention, treatment and research,” says Dr. Pujol. “Jacques Chirac said publicly that people with cancer don’t just want to be cared for; they want to be cured.” That pragmatic approach resonates with Dr. Pujol, who sees the League playing a key role in educating the people of France about the dangers of tobacco use and the importance of cancer screening — steps that improve patient outcomes.

While the French government funds screening programs for breast, lung and colo-rectal cancers, there is no standardized screening program in place for prostate cancer — even though Dr. Pujol notes that the incidence of prostate cancer now surpasses all other types of cancer in France.

The League is in a good position to mount its own public awareness campaign about prostate cancer, since it enjoys excellent relationships with hospitals and cancer centers throughout the country. The organization distributes several publications related to cancer prevention and treatment. Its flagship enterprise is the creation of patient welcome centers within hospitals, known as Espaces Rencontres Informations (ERI).

The League also enjoys an excellent relationship with Alliance Mondiale Contre le Cancer (AMCC), providing office space in Montpellier and working together with INCTR’s partner to answer the needs of professionals and volunteers fighting cancer in French-speaking developing countries.

In 2004, the National League against Cancer was the principal partner in AMCC’s efforts to bring solutions to French-speaking African nations. For the past two years, the local committee has supported AMCC’ public awareness event, Cancer Day for French-speaking countries.

“There is real collaboration and trust between the League and AMCC,” he says.

Marcia Landskroener for INCTR