About 700 people in Fiji die annually due to cancer.
This was revealed by National Advisor for Non-Communicable Disease Dr Isimeli Tukana at the launch of the 2018 World Cancer Day at Albert Park yesterday.
Dr Tukana says a total of 1,100 new cases of cancer are recorded every year by the Health Ministry.
He says this is happening because these cancers are not detected early as there are late presentations.
He believes that if people make a habit of getting screened, these diseases will be detected early and the chances of treatment will be very high and people will be able to live quality of life.
From the new cases, Dr Tukana said that slightly more than 50 per cent are found to be breast and cervical cancer in women.
He said the most common cancer in males is prostate cancer and it is the third most common cancer in Fiji.
Meanwhile, Dr Tukana said that children in Fiji make up less than one per cent of the new cases and about half of them survive treatment.
“This special day helps us to reflect on what we can do as a survivor, as a co-worker, as a friend, as an employer, as a care giver, as a student, as a faith based group, as a cancer organization, as a family, as a community and as a nation to make a pledge and not only to pledge but to actually do something to fight against cancer,” he said.
Dr Tukana said other cancers are growing up now, like the mouth, skin and cancer of the bowls.
He has called on the people to give hope and support to people living with cancer to make a big difference in their lives.