Cancer in Mauritius: Over 2,500 Cases Treated in a Year, National Mobilization Announced
World Cancer Day, celebrated every year on February 4th, provides an opportunity to highlight the statistics and reality of this disease in Mauritius and worldwide.
According to the 2024 Health Statistics Report from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, 2,540 cancer cases were treated at the New Cancer Centre in Mauritius. Women are the most affected, with 1,413 cases compared to 1,127 in men. Breast cancer remains the most common, with 427 cases, accounting for 16.8% of all diagnoses. It is followed by rectal and anal canal cancers (221 cases; 8.7%), and cancers of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs (217 cases; 8.5%). Colon cancers (188 cases; 7.4%) and cancers of the lip, oral cavity, and pharynx (178 cases; 7.0%) are also among the most prevalent.
However, behind these numbers are patients undergoing treatment, facing often grueling care pathways, and families grappling with anxiety and uncertainty. Cancer is not merely about percentages or statistical tables; it impacts lives, disrupts households, and deeply engages loved ones.
Globally, cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality. Approximately 20 million new cases are reported each year, with nearly 10 million deaths attributed to it. One in five individuals will develop cancer in their lifetime, a trend expected to intensify in the coming decades, particularly due to an aging population and lifestyle-related factors.
In this context, the Ministry of Health and Wellness will launch a series of activities marking World Cancer Day on February 3, 2026. The official ceremony will take place at the Paul Octave Wiehe Auditorium in Réduit, under the auspices of Minister Anil Kumar Bachoo.
In collaboration with the University of Mauritius, these initiatives aim to enhance awareness, prevention, and early detection. They include a sensitization walk under the theme "United by Unique", the launch of the National Cancer Registry report, and a national screening campaign for breast and cervical cancers targeting active women aged 25 to 65 across the country.
Additional actions, such as radio broadcasts, a social media campaign, and screening and awareness sessions in health centers, schools, communities, and workplaces, are scheduled throughout February, highlighting that the fight against cancer is both collective and profoundly human.
Source: GIS