Cancer: Alarming 18% Increase in One Year and 13% of Deaths Related to the Disease
Title: Cancer: Alarming 18% Increase in One Year and 13% of Deaths Related to the Disease
Content: Health Minister Anil Bachoo raised the alarm on Tuesday during the launch of the National Cancer Registry 2025. Cancer cases rose from 2,841 to 3,362 between 2023 and 2024, increasingly affecting younger individuals.
Cancer has reached alarming proportions in Mauritius. This observation was made by Health Minister Anil Bachoo during his speech on February 3rd at the launch of the National Cancer Registry 2024 and activities marking Cancer Day, observed on February 4th. The event took place at the Octave Wiehe Auditorium, following a awareness march.
The figures from the National Cancer Registry 2024 show an 18% increase in cases from 2023 to 2024, rising from 2,841 to 3,362. "We must be very cautious. It’s not just the elderly who are affected, but also the youth," emphasized Minister Bachoo. In 2024, 13% of all deaths in Mauritius were related to cancer. "These figures remind us that cancer impacts families, communities, and the youth," he added.
In light of this situation, he aimed to be encouraging: 30 to 50% of all cancers can be prevented and treated if detected early. He stressed the importance of early screening and urged the public to utilize the facilities available during various campaigns conducted across the island. "The disease is a major issue in our country. Every day, every morning, I continue to receive patients who come desperately seeking treatment," he confessed.
According to Anil Bachoo, cancer knows no boundaries and makes no distinctions regarding age, gender, nationality, or social status. "Overall, cancer remains a significant public health challenge," he stated. The minister called on the public to be aware of risk factors that increase the incidence of the disease in Mauritius: population aging, smoking, alcohol abuse, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and environmental factors like air pollution.
The minister also reached out to the youth: "You are part of the solution. Your choices, influence, and voice matter in promoting healthy lifestyles, reducing stigma, and encouraging early healthcare seeking."
Silent Epidemic
Present at the event, the new representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Mauritius, Dr. Abdou Salam Gueye warned that if no action is taken now, more than 35 million people will have cancer by 2050, and 18 million will die from the disease worldwide. According to him, the African continent is undergoing an epidemiological transition. "Cancer has emerged as a silent epidemic. In 2022, Africa recorded about 1.18 million new cases. While cancer survival rates exceed 90% in Western countries, the rate is around 5% in Sub-Saharan Africa due to late detection," he pointed out.
Mauritius, however, stands out with public health measures that position the country as a model in Africa and globally. Despite the rise in the disease over the past decade, the established healthcare system offers hope according to Dr. Gueye, particularly with measures included in the National Cancer Program. He mentioned, among others, the introduction of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine for both girls and boys to prevent cervical cancer. For him, this is "a major visionary step toward the global initiative to completely eliminate cervical cancer."
The government aims to focus on prevention.
An awareness march organized by the Ministry of Health between Ébène and Réduit helped raise awareness among youth about the dangers of cancer.
According to Health Minister Anil Bachoo, it is not an exaggeration to say that the number of cases is rising for reasons yet to be determined. The number of breast cancer cases is alarming, and awareness is needed in this area, he stated. "Many people are suffering from cancer in the country with hundreds of patients needing to be sent abroad for treatment, which costs the state a lot," he explained.
In light of this situation, the minister pointed out that there are two aspects of the disease that must be considered. "The government spends billions of rupees on cancer treatment. But it is more important to emphasize prevention," he noted.
In this regard, the Non-Communicable Diseases department will conduct a series of awareness campaigns across the country, he explained. He emphasized the precautions that the public must adopt. These are communicated through awareness messages broadcast in the media and talks by doctors in community centers.
Minister Bachoo also praised the work of doctors, whether at the National Cancer Center or other health centers.
24/7 System for Specialists: An Expected Decision in the Coming Weeks
Regarding the 24/7 system for specialists (gynecologists, pediatricians, and anesthetists), the Ministry of Health has established a High Powered Committee to negotiate and discuss the best solution to take. This was stated by Minister Anil Bachoo.
This initiative follows a complaint lodged by the Government Medical and Dental Officers Association (GMDOA) against this system. In a verdict released in mid-January, the Employment Relations Tribunal (ERT) deemed this measure "illegal" and that its implementation was done unilaterally and without any consultation with stakeholders in 2022.
The High Powered Committee will announce a decision regarding the 24/7 system based on an agreement between the Ministry of Health and the GMDOA, the minister stated.
He highlighted that it is important to remember that the Ministry is "patient-centered" and that what matters most is the patients. For him, the "infant mortality rate" must decrease and cannot remain static. "This is a serious situation, and we must find ways to address it," he said.
3,362 New Cases Diagnosed in 2024, Generalized Increase Observed
The National Cancer Registry 2025 reveals a worrying increase in cancer cases in 2024, with 3,362 new diagnoses. Prostate and breast cancers remain the most common, respectively among men and women.
According to the National Cancer Registry 2025, 3,362 new cancer cases were diagnosed in 2024, including 1,471 in men and 1,891 in women. The data reveals a concerning increase in most types of cancer.
Among men, prostate cancer ranks first with 251 cases, compared to 215 in 2023. Colorectal cancer follows with 209 cases, then lung cancer with 137 cases. An increase has been observed in each of these cancer types.
For women, breast cancer remains the most common with 679 cases recorded in 2024, up from 591 the previous year. An increase has also been noted for other types of cancer: 191 cases for uterine cancer and 177 cases for colorectal cancer.
The average age of incidence is revealing, with the National Cancer Registry indicating an average age of 63.8 years for men and 59.8 years for women. Statistics further show that 62% of all cancer types affect individuals over 60, with this proportion rising to 70.1% among men and 57.3% among women in this age group.
Cancer accounts for 13% of all recorded deaths in 2024. Of the 12,493 deaths counted, 1,649 were related to cancer, with 803 in men and 846 in women. In men, lung cancer caused 123 deaths, prostate cancer 111, and colorectal cancer 102. Among women, 244 deaths were recorded for breast cancer, 96 for colorectal cancer, and 60 for lung and ovarian cancers respectively.
