Ninety Fijian women die of cervical cancer each year, while 184 succumb to breast cancer.
According to the Fiji Country Gender Assessment (FCGA) published in 2020, Fiji recorded 293 breast cancer cases a year while 120 Fijian women develop cervical cancer.
The FCGA reported that four in 10 women were not able to make their own informed decisions about their reproductive health rights. Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Lynda Tabuya highlighted parts of the report in Parliament this week.
She said in 2020, the age-specific incidence of breast cancer was 65.1 cases per 100,000 Fijian women, while the related mortality rate was 41 cases per 100,000 Fijian women.
“Cancer of the reproductive organs, particularly breast and cervical cancer, are the leading causes of death related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among Fijian women,” she said.
“Cervical and breast cancer are the most common forms of cancer among women.
“The age-specific incidence of cervical cancer was 22.5 cases per 100,000 Fijian women, while the mortality rate was 9.0 cases per 100,000 Fijian women.
“This means approximately 293 cases of breast cancer and approximately 184 deaths from breast cancer and for cervical cancer, 120 cases and approximately 90 deaths — in one year.”
Ms Tabuya emphasised the need to address the complex issues and challenges identified by the FCGA which required a collective effort by the whole government and the whole population.
“These issues cannot be solved by any single individual, agency, or sector alone.
“It is essential to recognise the interrelated nature of these challenges and adopt a multi-sectoral and co-ordinated and transformative and inclusive approach that fosters partnerships, collaboration, and share responsibility as well as addresses the root causes of gender inequality in our society.”
The FCGA report was officially launched on Monday in Suva by the ministry. The comprehensive report provides key and updated statistics, sex-disaggregated data, and analysis across seven critical sectors and areas such as education, health, economy, ending violence against all women and girls, women in leadership and decision-making, social norms and environment.
