Over 1,900 Cancer Cases Recorded in Maldives Over Eight Years, Majority Women
HPA reveals 1,900 cancer cases in Maldives over eight years, predominantly women | Photo: MV+
Over 1,900 people have been registered as cancer patients in the Maldives over the past eight years, with women accounting for the majority of cases, according to information shared by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
In a statement issued to mark World Cancer Day, the HPA said that more than 1,900 individuals were recorded in the National Cancer Registry between 2017 and 2025, of whom 57 per cent were women and 43 per cent were men.
The agency noted that cancer remains a significant public health concern both regionally and globally, with South Asian countries recording more than one million new cancer cases and over 100,000 deaths each year.
According to a World Health Organization report published in 2020, cancer accounts for 17 per cent of all deaths in the Maldives.
Data shared by the HPA shows that the most common cancers among women in the Maldives are breast, colon, lung, thyroid and cervical cancers, while lung, prostate, colon, stomach and liver cancers are the most frequently diagnosed among men.
As part of efforts to improve early detection and treatment, the HPA said mammography services and cervical cancer screening services are now available at all hospitals across the country.
The agency highlighted that research indicates around 40 per cent of cancers are linked to unhealthy lifestyle choices and other avoidable risk factors. These include smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke, unhealthy diets, areca-nut chewing, lack of physical activity, excessive body weight, alcohol consumption and exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
The HPA also outlined key preventive measures that can reduce cancer risk, including HPV vaccination, avoiding smoking and areca-nut use, limiting exposure to ultraviolet radiation, breastfeeding, practising safe sex, maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and undergoing regular cancer screenings.
Cancer is a group of diseases characterised by uncontrolled cell growth that can form tumours and spread to other parts of the body. The HPA stressed that adopting healthy lifestyle choices and participating in regular screening programmes are critical to reducing cancer risk and improving treatment outcomes through early detection.
