Over 1,600 Cancer Registered Cancer Patients in the Maldives, Says HPA

MV+ News Desk | February 4, 2025
Photo: IGMH

There are currently over 1,600 registered cancer patients in the country, the Health Protection Agency said last night. 

In a program with Public Service Media to increase awareness about World Cancer Day, which is celebrated every year on February 4, HPA’s Public Health Coordinator Abdulla Muaz Adam and Medical Officer Dr Mariyam Rif’a Ibrahim talked about commonly found cancers in the Maldives, in addition to ways to prevent them.

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Muaz noted the number of registered cancer patients is increasing year by year. The digital registry kept by the hospitals in the Male’ region shows there are 1,600 registered cancer patients in the Maldives right now. Last year, this number was at 1,400.

The most common types of cancer found in the Maldives are breast cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, liver cancer,  and prostate cancer. The most effective cancer treatment is prevention, and therefore HPA urges Maldivian citizens to ensure they take care of their health. They encourage not smoking, and not chewing areca nuts, both of which are common habits amongst Maldivians, and factors that increase the risk of developing cancer. HPA also encourages practising safe sex, increasing the amount of vegetables and fruits included in one’s diet, as well as leading more active lifestyles. 

Take Control of Health, Regularly Screen for Cancer

Dr Rif’aa encourages people to use available resources to take control of their health journey.

“Use the available resources to us now,” Dr Rifa said in her message to the public in Dhivehi while speaking on the PSM program.  “Taking mammographs, screening, this way, you are taking control of your own health.”

Some types of cancers can be detected early, she said, like breast cancer. 

“Therefore we recommend all women above the age of 40 to take a mammogram. We recommend for people between the ages of 40 and 65.”

Other types of cancers that can be detected easily include colorectal cancer and oral cancer, both of which she encourages getting screened for. 

“Especially those that eat areca nuts, they should check in with a dentist for a screening.”

She also encouraged everyone to support diagnosed patients on their cancer journey. Noting that it is a lifelong journey even after the cancer has been eradicated from their body, due to the side effects of the treatments sometimes used, she emphasised the importance of community support for cancer patients and survivors. 

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