Thanks to Phonegate Alert’s intervention, an initial correction was made to the 20 Minutes article on glioblastomas. We would like to thank the Quebec journalist André Fauteux, who did not hesitate to question the press departments of Santé Publique France (SPF) and the Institut National du Cancer (INCa). However, several major problems remain in the writing of the article, requiring immediate action to re-establish the scientific truth.
INCa’s “imprecise” response
“The only inaccuracy we note in the article concerns the sentence below: “However, the disease remains ‘fairly rare’ in the general population, i.e. 20% of the nearly 5,900 cancers of the central nervous system diagnosed per year according to INCa, and even more so in young people.” This should read “However, the disease remains ‘fairly rare’ in the general population of adolescents and young adults, accounting for 20% of the nearly 5,900 central nervous system cancers diagnosed per year according to INCa”.”
This response from the INCa press office has had the following consequences:
- Official recognition: SPF and INCa have admitted an “inaccuracy” and requested a correction from the editors of 20 Minutes, who adopted the wording proposed by INCa.
- A discreet modification: The 20 Minutes article was modified on the sly by its editors after our repeated alerts, without highlighting the corrections.
Why does this new formulation remain problematic?
The INCa Press Office’s proposal contradicts the official figures, and accentuates the reader’s misunderstanding through even more confusing terminology that continues to minimize the risks:
- Santé Publique France reports 3,481 glioblastomas/year (56% of CNS cancers in 2018)
- INCa reports only 1,180 cases (20%)
- The correction does not resolve this major discrepancy of 66%.
- To speak of a “general population of adolescents and young adults” is an oxymoron: one cannot mix “general population” and “specific age group”.
- Describing glioblastomas as “fairly rare” when they account for 56% of CNS cancers (SPF) in the general population, and have increased by 230% in the 15-39 age group in 20 years, trivializes a proven health trend.
Our requests to the editors of 20 Minutes
- A visible erratum:
- Not just a discreet correction, but a box clarifying the real figures (3,481 cases/year, +230% among young people).
- Explicit mention of Phonegate Alert requests.
- A new article:
- Give the floor to Santé Publique France, independent experts and our NGO.
- Explain why this silent epidemic is being ignored.
- An in-depth investigation:
- Why do these figures differ between SPF and INCa?
- What environmental factors are underestimated (radio frequencies, pesticides)?
Reactions from Dr. Marc Arazi and journalist André Fauteux
“Data from Santé Publique France show an alarming rise in glioblastomas, particularly among young people. To ignore this trend is to endanger public health.”
– Dr Marc Arazi, President of Phonegate Alert
“When institutions and the media downplay such clear scientific data, one wonders who they are really protecting.”
– André Fauteux, Quebec journalist (La Maison du 21e siècle)
Transparency on this health crisis is crucial.
Sources: Santé Publique France (2018-2023), Phonegate Alert reports, André Fauteux exchanges with INCa.
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