What essential health screenings are available for free in France?

Some people complain that every visit to the doctor seems to lead to a blood test or another consultation. 

However, these check-ups are vital, as detecting a potential illness or condition in the early stages is the best way to ensure a full recovery. 

The French health system offers an extensive nationwide programme of screenings and tests to detect potential problems before they become too serious. 

If you receive a letter for a dépistage (health screen), you should pay attention. Some will be familiar, but others might be news to you.

Not all tests apply to everyone – some are dependent on age, gender and pre-existing conditions. Below, we take a look at the main offerings for men and women.

Read more: France looks to fine people who miss a doctor’s appointment

Mammogram/ mammographie

Essentially a breast X-ray to detect signs of cancer, this test can be carried out at your local imagerie médicale, which might be part of the hospital or a separate clinic. 

Women between the ages of 50 and 74 should have a mammogram every two years, and you usually receive an invitation by post, along with a list of clinics near you that offer this service. 

You should also receive a bon de prise en charge so that you do not have to pay for the test. Women with a family history of breast cancer are generally advised to start mammograms from the age of 40, and can get a prescription for this from their GP.

Breast cancer screening remains “low” in France, with fewer than one in two women aged 50 to 74 taking part, according to a study published by Santé publique France in May. It points to the continuing impact of the Covid-related health crisis. 

Smear test/frottis

This test looks for signs of cancer of the uterus, and can be performed by a gynaecologist, midwife or even many GPs. 

This health screen is offered to all women aged 25 to 65 and the costs are completely covered as long as you have a prescription or an invitation from Ameli, the national health insurance organisation. 

This test should be repeated every three years or every five years, depending on your age and history, so it is best to check.

Prostate screening/ dépistage du cancer de la prostate

Currently, this is not an obligation and there are no routine tests, but screening for prostate cancer can be requested. 

The first type of test is the one most of us have heard of – a digital rectal exam where a specialist inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to check for lumps, enlargements, or areas of hardness that might indicate prostate cancer. 

The second option is a blood test to check levels of PSA (prostate-specific antigen), which could indicate prostate cancer. Neither test is completely reliable and PSA levels can be high for other reasons, such as a urinary infection. 

It is reassuring to note that, according to Ameli, half of all prostate cancers can take over 15 years to develop and require no treatment. However, if you have pain or discomfort in this area, or if a close relative has suffered from prostate cancer, you can ask for a test. 

Read more: Colorectal cancer tests now available free at home in France