Incidence and Profile of Cancers in Wallis and Futuna, 2020–2024
Introduction – Cancers are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In Wallis and Futuna, where no epidemiological data had yet been published, we conducted a study describing the incidence and distribution of cancers diagnosed between 2020 and 2024. Method – A retrospective descriptive analysis was conducted using the cancer registry of the Wallis and Futuna Health Agency. The recorded cases were derived from medical records, pathology reports, death certificates, and medical evacuation records. Tumor sites were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10). World-standardized rates (WSR) were estimated using the direct method, with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) calculated according to a Poisson distribution. Results – Between 2020 and 2024, 218 cancers were recorded, 57% of which were in women. The median age at diagnosis was 61 years. The most common cancers among women were breast cancer, with a GCR of 103.8 per 100,000 person-years (PY), uterine body cancer at 79.9 per 100,000 PY, and cervical cancer at 34.7 per 100,000 PY. Among men, prostate cancer (45.0 per 100,000 PA), lung cancer (39.2 per 100,000 PA), and colon cancer (18.7 per 100,000 PA) were predominant. Conclusion – This initial surveillance analysis highlights a moderate overall incidence but an overrepresentation of gynecological cancers. These results underscore the need to strengthen surveillance, prevention, and screening in the context of high prevalence of obesity and metabolic risk factors in Wallis and Futuna.
Author(s): Couteaux Clément, Baizet Claire, Binan Gaëlle, Belabbas Hassiba, Madrias Laurent, Toa Monika, Uhila Valelia, Leboulanger Nadia, Pracht Marc, Lutui Gloria, Laffitte Annick
Publishing year: 2026
Pages: 239-245
Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2026, n° 11, p. 239-245
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