More than 1,400 cancer cases are diagnosed in Fiji each year – Min for Health

The cases of cancer continue to increase in Fiji as more than 1,400 cases of cancer are diagnosed in Fiji each year and it remains one of the top five causes of death.

This was revealed by the Minister for Health Doctor Atonio Lalabalavu during the Bushells Fiji’s Biggest Morning Tea held at the Motibhai Company this morning.

Dr Lalabalavu says cancer is a Non-communicable disease and affects all ages, groups, children and the elderly.

He says the common types of cancers are Prostate, Liver, Lung cancer, Leukemia, Breast, Cervical, Uterus, and Thyroid cancers.

The Minister says breast cancer is the common cancer in Fiji which affects both males and females and makes up to 20 percent of all cancers in Fiji.

He also says breast cancer was estimated to be responsible for 2.43% of all deaths in 2020.

Dr Lalabalavu says for breast cancer, early diagnosis is crucial as we must self-examine by symptoms such as abnormal painless lump or thickening in the breast, alterations in size, shape or skin, change in nipple appearance and nipple discharge.

However, the Minister says this can be treated through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiology.

He urges everyone to be aware, get medical checks regularly, and seek medical advice as treatment for cancer is early diagnosis and early treatment.

Meanwhile, Motibhai Group Marketing and Business Development Manager Abraham Gomes says looking at the alarming statistics on deaths caused by NCDs, fundraising events as such are the longest-running and biggest cancer fundraising initiative in the country which plays an important role in spreading cancer awareness, advocacy and patient support.

He says while NCDs are responsible for eighty percent of the deaths in the country, cancer is the third largest killer.

While sharing similar sentiments, Fiji Cancer Society CEO Belinda Chan says it is a sad reality that most Fijian families are being impacted by cancer either directly or indirectly at some stage in life.

She says the impact includes financial and emotional stress on patients, caregivers, children, and families while disrupting home life as even after treatment, patients would be subjected to adapt to the “new normal”.

Chan says that holding a Bushells Fiji’s Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser helps to reach out to more Fijians with cancer awareness, advocacy and patient support as they receive no direct government funding and everything they do is possible through the generosity of people and organisations.

The CEO says that cases of cancer are increasing each year as in 2022 there were 470 new cases reported, 503 cases reported last year and this year there have been 78 and 23 new cases in the Central and Northern Divisions respectively.