Experimentation

Early detection program for lung cancer rolled out in selected regions

Publié le 15 juin 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in France and worldwide. When the disease is detected at an early stage, before the onset of symptoms, the chances of cure increase considerably. A screening program for this cancer is currently being rolled out in 5 regions, before the system can be implemented throughout the country.

Illustration

The Pulse Lung Cancer Screening Program (Pulmonary Cancer Screening Implementation in Population) provides:

  • 100% coverage by the Health Insurance, for the performance of scans intended for the detection of a possible lung cancer (the screening program is based on 2 low-dose chest scans carried out one year apart, then on a CT scan of this type carried out every 2 years);
  • smoking cessation counseling, offered to program participants.

Please note

If the result of one of the screening scans is positive, additional tests are done to confirm the presence of lung cancer. When a cancer is diagnosed after thorough examinations, the patient is referred to a team specialized in thoracic oncology for therapeutic management including psychological support.

The Impulse program was recently launched in the following 5 regions:

  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes;
  • Hauts-de-France
  • Île-de-France;
  • Pays de la Loire
  • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Please note

The High Health Authority encouraged, in a press release issued in 2022, setting up experiments to assess the feasibility of a large-scale lung cancer screening program. Indeed, the earlier lung cancer is detected, the higher the chances of cure. However, this disease is often detected at an advanced stage, in other words at a time when the therapeutic possibilities are more limited.

The objectives of the Impulsion program are:

  • increase the number of early diagnoses of lung cancer;
  • and to determine the conditions for the implementation of a future national screening program for this cancer.

What are the criteria for entering the screening program?

You can enter the lung cancer screening program if you meet the following conditions:

  • be aged 50 to 74 ;
  • be currently a smoker, or be a former smoker who has quit for less than 15 years ;
  • smoking or having smoked on average at least 2 packs of cigarettes per day for 10 years, or 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years (a multiplier is applied if you smoke or have smoked rolled cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, pipe or shisha). To assess your tobacco use, you can get help by consulting a health professional; calling 34-33, the national Pulse number; or visiting the website screening-cancer-lung.fr.

These different criteria identify the people for whom screening is most beneficial, i.e. people with many risk factors for developing the disease. For example, it is from the age of 50 that the possibility of developing lung cancer begins to increase significantly if you smoke, or have smoked, significantly.

Please note

You cannot integrate this program if, among other things:

  • have symptoms suggestive of possible lung cancer (unexplained weight loss, recent onset of respiratory symptoms, etc.)
  • you have severe comorbidities, preventing diagnostic and therapeutic management (e.g. surgery or radiation therapy) of lung cancer;
  • you have had a chest scan recently (less than 12 months).

How do I participate in the lung cancer screening program?

If you wish to participate in the Pulse Lung Cancer Screening Program, you must choose:

  • contact the program call center by dialing 34 33 (price of a local call), or fill the online form available on Impulsion - screening for lung cancer, to verify your eligibility for the scheme (if your eligibility is confirmed, you have access to a list of « investigator » doctors in order to make an appointment to finalize your enrollment in the scheme);
  • consult directly with an « investigator » physician, who will check your eligibility and finalize your registration in the program if necessary (you can find an « investigator » doctor via the available directory on the website depistage-cancer-poumon.fr).

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