Fiji records 600 new breast cancer cases every year, with 50 to 70 surgeries being performed, says Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa.
She made this comment in Rakiraki last week while officiating at a Pinktober celebration and said every Fijian had a duty to raise awareness on breast cancer or any other disease that prematurely claimed lives.
“This makes breast cancer the most common form of cancer among Fijian women as they make up 98 per cent of breast cancer patients,” Mrs Vuniwaqa said.
“Although there is no treatment to prevent breast cancer, early detection of the disease can lead to an excellent outcome.”
Mrs Vuniwaqa said breast cancer and non-communicable diseases were becoming “the leading cause of death” in Fiji.
“We need a collective effort to fight it.
“In fact, every well-meaning Fijian must do their part in raising awareness against breast cancer and against every disease that is costing lives of Fijians in great numbers.”
About 1100 new cancer cases are reported in Fiji every year and about 700 people die from the dreaded disease annually.
Of the 1100 new cancer cases, about 50 per cent are breast cancer in women.
The most common cancer in men is prostate cancer, which is also the third most common cancer in Fiji.
