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Cancer is a major source of concern for the French, but does this concern translate into daily health behaviors? What is the perception of our compatriots regarding the progress of robotic surgery against this scourge? A new survey reveals surprising figures and a worrying French exception.
A YouGov study, conducted on both sides of the Atlantic for Quantum Surgical, shows that a majority of French and Americans fear that future generations will suffer from cancer. However, the risks linked to alcohol seem to be minimized in France.
Cancer remains a major source of concern
While the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts a 77% increase in cancer cases worldwide by 2050, 54% of French people fear developing cancer, a concern shared by Americans (53%).
And this concern is not just personal: nearly 2/3 French people say they are worried about the young people close to them (55% across the Atlantic). Conversely, only 37% of Germans are afraid for their younger siblings.
Even more surprising: in France, 74% of young people aged 18 to 24 say they are worried about future generations, compared to 47% of young Americans.
Alcohol consumers less anxious… in France!
Does this anxiety translate into awareness in terms of prevention? Not necessarily… In Germany, 45% of smokers and heavy drinkers are afraid of getting cancer. These statistics rise to 57% and 58% in the US. A fear therefore shared by both smokers and drinkers.
Cultural exception, no doubt: In France, while 57% of smokers fear getting cancer in the future, only 45% of heavy alcohol consumers share this fear. However, the link between alcohol consumption and cancer is clearly established. It is, in fact, the cause of 7.1% of cancers in Europe, and of approximately 6% of all cancers and 4% of all cancer deaths in the United States.
The French are aware of the contribution of robotics in the fight against cancer
Faced with advances in surgery, a majority of French and American people perceive robotics as an effective solution to improve cancer treatments (53% and 56%). This enthusiasm is particularly marked among men in France (63% versus 44% among women) and in the United States (59% versus 52%). In Germany, on the other hand, only 44% of respondents think that robotics is an effective solution to improve cancer treatments.
In this field, percutaneous ablation destroys cancerous tumors by inserting one or more needles through the skin. The benefits of these minimally invasive treatments are numerous: fewer complications and pain following the procedure, less scarring, shorter hospital stays with faster recovery.
But do the French know about percutaneous ablation against cancer? Only a quarter of them say they know about this technique against cancer, a proportion much higher than the 7% of Americans and 6% of Germans. However, percutaneous ablation remains the least known cancer treatment among the French, along with hormone therapy (23%), compared to other therapies: 85% of French people know about chemotherapy, 73% about radiotherapy, 65% about surgery, 56% about bone marrow transplant, 46% about immunotherapy.
“WHO predictions suggest that cancer will unfortunately be a reality for many people. That the majority of French people believe that robotics and AI can make cancer treatments more effective is very encouraging. At Quantum Surgical, we have demonstrated with Epione® how technology is helping practitioners improve cancer treatment for patients” says Bertin Nahum, president and co-founder of Quantum Surgical.