Cancer control programme - The Mauritian government Monday launched a cancer control programme in its secondary schools to mark the celebration of the world day against cancer.
The Mauritian ministry of health said in a statement here that under the progamme, emphasis will be laid on the screening for cancer, which represents the third main disease in the country, behind diabetes and cardio-vascular diseases.
'The most common cancer among women is breast cancer, while colorectal cancer is the most widespread among men. Children are mostly affected by acute lukemia,' a ministry source told PANA.
About 1,400 cases of cancer are detected in Mauritius every year, causing 12,1% of deaths in the country.
According to official figures, about 58% of the disease affects women aged between 15 and 60 years, as against 40% among men of the same age bracket.
Pana 05/02/2013