Cancer affects 50,000 Moroccans anually, health ministry finds

An annual rate of  50,000 cases of cancer is identified in Morocco, according to a recent intervention of the Ministry of Health in Parliament.

Breast cancer affects 35.8 percent of women across the country, followed by cervical cancer at an 11.2 percent rate.

Common types of cancer among men include lung cancer at 22 percent, prostate at 12.6 percent, and lymphoid cancers at 6.7 percent.

Cancer is responsible for 13.4% of deaths in the country.

11 cancer treatment centers are available in the county, in cities including  Rabat, Casablanca, Fez, Meknes, Oujda, Tangiers, Al Hoceima, Agadir, Bni Mellal, and Laayoune.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths, according to figures collected by the World Health Organization.

On a global scale, the most common cancers are breast, lung, colon and rectum and prostate cancers.

The WHO says that around one-third of deaths from cancer are due to tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low fruit, and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity.

Cancer-causing infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis, are responsible for approximately 30% of cancer cases in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

According to WHO between 30 and 50% of cancers can currently be prevented by avoiding risk factors.