World Cancer Day 2026: Health Ministry rolls out nationwide activities

In the context of World Cancer Day 2026, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Anil Kumar Bachoo, will proceed with the launch of a series of activities on 03 February 2026 at the Paul Octave Wiehe Auditorium in Réduit. World Cancer Day is observed on 04 February every year in order to raise awareness on cancer and to encourage its prevention, early detection and treatment.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness in collaboration with the University of Mauritius will organise a series of activities on 03 February geared towards strengthening awareness, prevention and early detection of cancer. These include a sensitisation march under the theme “United by Unique” from S.M.K Navin Soonarane Gymnasium in Ebène to Paul Octave Wiehe auditorium in Réduit; the launch of the National Cancer Registry Report; and the rollout of a mass Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Campaign targeting working women aged 25 to 65 years across Mauritius.

Other key initiatives during the month of February comprise radio talks and a social media awareness campaign. Screening activities and sensitisation sessions will also be conducted at the level of Community Health Centres, Women Centres, Social Welfare Centres, schools, urban and rural communities, and workplaces, focusing on cancer risk factors and preventive measures, complemented by the distribution of pamphlets and posters.

World Cancer Day is a global initiative that unites people, communities and institutions in the fight against this disease. In 2026, the Day continues under the campaign theme “United by Unique”, which emphasises that while cancer affects millions worldwide, every individual’s experience is different. The theme calls for people-centred cancer care, recognising personal stories, needs and circumstances, while reinforcing collective action to reduce the global cancer burden.

Statistics in Mauritius and around the world

According to the Health Statistics Report 2024 of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, a total of 2,540 cancer cases were treated at the New Cancer Centre in Mauritius, with women (1,413 cases) outnumbering men (1,127 cases).

Breast cancer was the most common malignancy, accounting for 427 cases (16.8%), followed by cancers of the rectum and anal canal (221 cases; 8.7%) and the trachea, bronchus and lung (217 cases; 8.5%). Cancers of the colon (188 cases; 7.4%) and lip, oral cavity and pharynx (178 cases; 7.0%) also featured prominently. The data highlight a cancer burden largely driven by breast and digestive system cancers, with clear gender-specific patterns.

Globally, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death, posing a major public health challenge. Recent estimates indicate around 20 million new cancer cases and nearly 10 million cancer-related deaths each year, with approximately one in five people expected to develop cancer during their lifetime. The burden is projected to rise sharply in the coming decades, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, due to population growth, ageing and lifestyle factors.

02 February 2026

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Topics: Health