What share of all cancers?
Mauritania, new cancer cases in 2024
In short: About one in four cancers diagnosed in Mauritania is a breast cancer: it is the most common cancer in the country.
Source: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024 · permanent link
Space 04 · ROSE DataBreast cancer in figures
Breast cancer in figures
Sourced data, explained simply. Every figure has its source and year, and we also say what the data do not tell us yet.
Mauritania
New cases per year in Mauritania844The country's most common cancerSource: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024Deaths per year in Mauritania399Nearly one death for every two new casesSource: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024Share of all cancers in Mauritania23.4%About one cancer in fourSource: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024People living with breast cancer diagnosed less than 5 years ago1 6605-year prevalenceSource: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024Age-standardised incidence rate48.3per 100,000 womenSource: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024Age-standardised mortality rate23.8per 100,000 womenSource: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024
IARC estimates (GLOBOCAN 2024, published in 2026). There is no national registry: these figures are calculated from data from neighbouring countries and the hospital data available.
Out of 100 people diagnosed, how many die?
Deaths compared with new cases (2024)
Mauritania47399 deaths for 844 cases
Senegal471,041 deaths for 2,220 cases
Mali481,217 deaths for 2,554 cases
Morocco383,918 deaths for 10,410 cases
World28693,660 deaths for 2,434,087 cases
France2314,156 deaths for 62,713 cases
In short: In Mauritania, nearly one in two people with breast cancer dies of it, compared with fewer than one in four in France. Late diagnosis makes the difference.
ROSE calculation: deaths ÷ new cases × 100.
Source: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024 · permanent link
How many cases are estimated, edition after edition?
Mauritania: estimated new cases and deaths
Before these estimates, the Nouakchott hospital registry counted 485 breast cancers confirmed by biopsy over 10 years (2000-2009). This is not comparable: only women who had a biopsy at the CHN are included.
In short: Recent estimates are higher, but the methods change from one edition to the next: we cannot conclude there is a real increase.
Source: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2022 · IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024 · PAMJ, 2013 · permanent link
Focus on CNO patients
What published studies say about the patients of the National Oncology Centre in Nouakchott.
Who is affected, and at what age?
Studies carried out at the National Oncology Centre (CNO)
50 years
average age at diagnosis (200 cases)
32%
of cases between 45 and 55
85%
are ductal carcinomas
1.5%
men among the 200 patients
In short: Breast cancer affects women around 50 on average, younger than in rich countries. Men are affected too.
Source: PAMJ, 2025 · permanent link
What types of tumour are found?
CNO, 102 patients with an immunohistochemistry profile (2020-2021)
In short: More than one cancer in three is , a form that is often more aggressive. 85% are ductal carcinomas.
Source: PAMJ, 2025 · permanent link
At what stage is the cancer found?
137 CNO patients tested for BRCA
Stage III44.5%61 patients out of 137
Stage IV23.4%32 patients out of 137
In short: In this study, two patients in three were diagnosed at an advanced stage (III or IV).
A group of patients chosen because a family form was suspected: this is not a national figure.
Source: BMC Cancer, 2022 · permanent link
Is breast cancer hereditary in Mauritania?
137 patients tested, chosen because a family form was suspected
BRCA carriers3827.7% of the 137 patients
BRCA1 c.815_824dup13Most common variant
BRCA1 c.4986+6T>C72nd most common variant
In short: More than one tested patient in four carried a mutation. 16 different variants, 3 of them never described before.
This is not the frequency among all patients: only suspected family forms were tested.
Source: BMC Cancer, 2022 · permanent link
How many breast cancers at the CNO?
National Oncology Centre, Nouakchott
429
breast cancers recorded in 2020-2021
15.71%
of all cancers diagnosed at the CNO
30.9%
of cancers in women (national figure quoted by the study)
2024
reliably available
In short: Breast cancer is one of the main cancers treated at the CNO. The test that gives the tumour type has only been reliably available since 2024.
Source: PAMJ, 2025 · permanent link
What the associations see on the ground
2024 health report of the Ithar association, which helps cancer patients (all cancers) across the country.
Which cancers do the patients helped by Ithar have?
Patients registered with the Ithar association in 2024 (all cancers), in %
Breast18.73%الثدي
Neck13.96%الرقبة
Cervix13.07%عنق الرحم
Mixed or unspecified9.63%مختلط او غير محدد النوع
Colon8.83%القولون
Stomach and oesophagus6.06%المعدة والمرئ
Lung5.39%سرطان الرئة
Prostate4.06%البروستاتا
In short: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among the patients supported by Ithar (18.73%).
Patients of one association, not a national figure.
Source: Ithar association (إيثار), 2024 · permanent link
Where do the patients helped by Ithar come from?
Breakdown by wilaya, patients registered in 2024 (all cancers), in %
Trarza15.03%15.03% of patients
Assaba12.15%12.15% of patients
Hodh Ech Chargui12.06%12.06% of patients
Brakna11.07%11.07% of patients
Hodh El Gharbi10.35%10.35% of patients
Nouakchott West7.65%7.65% of patients
Gorgol6.66%6.66% of patients
Adrar4.59%4.59% of patients
Nouakchott North4.23%4.23% of patients
Guidimakha4.23%4.23% of patients
Tagant4.23%4.23% of patients
Nouakchott South2.52%2.52% of patients
Dakhlet Nouadhibou2.52%2.52% of patients
Tiris Zemmour1.44%1.44% of patients
Inchiri1.26%1.26% of patients
In short: Patients come from every wilaya, especially Trarza, Assaba and the two Hodhs: many travel a long way to Nouakchott.
The only geographic breakdown available. It is not an incidence by wilaya.
Source: Ithar association (إيثار), 2024 · permanent link
What does a screening campaign achieve?
Ithar association breast cancer screening campaign (2024)
Women registered464464 — المسجلين
Clinical exams276276 — فحوص السريرية
Mammograms8484 — الماموكرافي
Ultrasounds3838 — التلفزة
In short: Of 464 women registered, 276 had a , 84 a and 38 an .
Source: Ithar association (إيثار), 2024 · permanent link
What resources for treatment?
The National Oncology Centre (CNO), the only public radiotherapy centre
- 2008The National Oncology Centre opens in Nouakchott
- 2010 unit opened (27 November)
- 2014Nuclear medicine department opens
- Equip.Linear accelerator (6 and 18 MV), high-dose-rate brachytherapy, gamma camera (IAEA description)
- CostFree treatment for people in need
In short: Mauritania has had since 2010, but everything is concentrated in Nouakchott.
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency · AIEA · Springer, Cancer in the Arab World, 2022 · permanent link
What screening campaigns?
Actions found in official sources or provided by associations
- 2026Breast cancer awareness and early screening campaign — “Get screened and bring us good news” — Ministry of Health (Department of Maternal and Child Health), WHO, doctors, midwives, partners. Call to extend screening with mobile clinics, for women in inland regions. (Mauritanian News Agency (AMI), 2026)
- 2024Breast cancer early screening campaign — Ithar association. (Ithar association (إيثار), 2024)
In short: screening relies on campaigns, not on a national programme. We do not know how many women have already been examined.
What the data do not tell us yet
- No population-based national cancer registry. National figures are IARC estimates. The only measured data come from hospitals (CHN, CNO) and associations.
- No data by wilaya. The number of cases per wilaya is unknown. The only breakdown found concerns the patients (all cancers) supported by Ithar in 2024.
- Stages at diagnosis poorly known. The only figure found (44.5% stage III and 23.4% stage IV) comes from a specific group of 137 patients.
- No national screening data. No published data show how many women have already had a breast exam or a mammogram.
- No measured survival. To our knowledge, no survival study of Mauritanian patients has been published.
ROSE Data will show this information as soon as it is published and sourced.
Africa
New cases in Africa225 6439.3% of world casesSource: CA Cancer J Clin, 2026Deaths in Africa100 07014.4% of world deathsSource: CA Cancer J Clin, 2026Cancers diagnosed at stage III or IV in sub-Saharan Africa (median)74.7%83 studies, 17 countriesSource: Lancet Global Health, 2016Women alive 3 years after diagnosis (5 sub-Saharan African countries)50%ABC-DO studySource: Lancet Global Health, 2020
Does Africa die more of breast cancer?
Africa's share of the world total, 2024
In short: Africa's share of deaths is much larger than its share of cases: cancer is found too late there and is harder to treat.
Source: CA Cancer J Clin, 2026 · permanent link
How many new cases per country?
New breast cancer cases in 2024
Nigeria44,19644,196 cases · 21,309 deaths
Algeria17,11017,110 cases · 6,237 deaths
Morocco10,41010,410 cases · 3,918 deaths
Côte d'Ivoire4,8454,845 cases · 2,284 deaths
Mali2,5542,554 cases · 1,217 deaths
Senegal2,2202,220 cases · 1,041 deaths
Mauritania844844 cases · 399 deaths
In short: The most populous countries have the most cases. To compare, look at rates and the deaths-to-cases ratio.
Source: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024 · permanent link
Out of 100 people diagnosed, how many die?
Mortality-to-incidence ratio, 2024
Nigeria4821,309 deaths for 44,196 cases
Mali481,217 deaths for 2,554 cases
Mauritania47399 deaths for 844 cases
Côte d'Ivoire472,284 deaths for 4,845 cases
Senegal471,041 deaths for 2,220 cases
Morocco383,918 deaths for 10,410 cases
Algeria366,237 deaths for 17,110 cases
France2314,156 deaths for 62,713 cases
In short: In West Africa, nearly one person diagnosed in two dies of the disease. In the Maghreb and in France, it is far fewer.
ROSE calculation: deaths ÷ new cases × 100.
Source: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024 · permanent link
How many women survive in Africa?
Two different measures, two studies
Alive after 3 years (5 countries)50%Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia
Alive after 5 years (South Africa)40%WHO fact sheet
In short: In sub-Saharan Africa, about one woman in two dies within 3 years. At least a third of these deaths could be avoided.
Source: Lancet Global Health, 2020 · WHO, 2024 · permanent link
Is cancer found too late?
Share of cancers diagnosed at stage III or IV
74.7%
median in sub-Saharan Africa (83 studies, 17 countries)
50 to 90%
in 5 sub-Saharan African countries (2014-2019)
≈ 30%
in the United States, for comparison
6%
only found at stage I (Marrakech University Hospital)
In short: In Africa, three cancers in four are found late. This is the main reason for the high death rate.
Source: Lancet Global Health, 2016 · CA Cancer J Clin, 2026 · PAMJ, 2015 · permanent link
Is there organised screening?
Programmes found in official sources
- Morocco: national early detection programme for women aged 40 to 69, with a in health centres.
- Mauritania: no organised national programme found. One-off campaigns (Pink October, Ithar association).
In short: Few countries in the region have organised screening. Campaigns remain the main way in.
Source: CIRC, 2019 · Mauritanian News Agency (AMI), 2026 · Ithar association (إيثار), 2024 · permanent link
Countries shown: only those whose figures ROSE could link to an IARC fact sheet. More countries will be added.
World
New cases worldwide (2022)2.3MThe most common cancer in womenSource: WHO, 2024Deaths worldwide (2022)670 000WorldwideSource: WHO, 2024Countries where it is the most common cancer in women (2022)157 / 185It affects every countrySource: WHO, 2024Women affected during their lifetime1 in 20World averageSource: IARC, 2025New cases in women (2024)2 434 08711.8% of all new cancersSource: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024New cases per year expected in 20503.2M+38% if nothing changesSource: IARC, 2025Deaths per year expected in 20501.1M+68% if nothing changesSource: IARC, 2025
The WHO quotes the 2022 figures. IARC published the 2024 figures in 2026. These are two different editions: do not compare them as a trend.
How many women will be affected during their lifetime?
World average
1 woman in 20
In short: On average worldwide, one woman in twenty will have breast cancer during her lifetime.
Source: IARC, 2025 · permanent link
Is survival the same everywhere?
Survival 5 years after diagnosis
In short: Where screening and treatment are available, more than 9 women in 10 are alive 5 years later.
Source: WHO, 2024 · permanent link
And tomorrow? The world in 2050
If nothing changes, per year
New cases
Deaths
In short: Cases and deaths will rise sharply, especially in the least developed countries. Raising awareness today saves lives tomorrow.
Each chart has its own scale.
Source: WHO, 2024 · IARC, 2025 · permanent link
Why does it need to be found early?
Relative 5-year survival by extent of cancer (United States, 2015-2021)
Stayed in the breast> 99%Localised stage
Nearby lymph nodes87%Regional stage
Metastases32%Distant stage
In short: When cancer is found before it spreads, almost all women are alive 5 years later.
Source: ACS, 2026 · permanent link
Which of the countries shown have the most cases?
New cases in 2024, countries shown on ROSE
France62,713Rank 1
Nigeria44,196Rank 2
Algeria17,110Rank 3
Morocco10,410Rank 4
Côte d'Ivoire4,845Rank 5
Mali2,554Rank 6
Senegal2,220Rank 7
Mauritania844Rank 8
In short: France has the most cases among these countries, but far fewer deaths relative to the number of cases.
Ranking limited to countries whose figures ROSE has linked to an IARC fact sheet.
Source: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024 · permanent link
What is the WHO aiming for?
Global Breast Cancer Initiative
In short: Find it early, diagnose within 60 days, treat to the end: this is how the WHO aims to cut mortality by 2.5% a year and avoid 2.5 million deaths between 2020 and 2040.
Source: WHO, 2023 · permanent link
What about men?
2026 estimates for the United States
< 1%
of breast cancers affect men
1 in 755
lifetime risk
2,670
men diagnosed
530
deaths
In short: Rare, but real: a man who feels a lump under the nipple should see a doctor.
Source: ACS, 2026 · permanent link
Maps
Tap or hover over an area to see its figure. Base maps: Natural Earth (public domain).
Where do the patients helped by the Ithar association come from?
Share of patients registered in 2024 (all cancers), by wilaya
Tiris Zemmour1.4%Brakna11.1%Dakhlet Nouadhibou2.5%Inchiri1.3%Nouakchott14.4%Trarza15.0%Assaba12.2%Guidimakha4.2%Gorgol6.7%Adrar4.6%Hodh Ech Chargui12.1%Hodh El Gharbi10.3%Tagant4.2%
Share of patients< 3%3-6%6-10%10-13%≥ 13%
In short: Patients come from every wilaya, often far from Nouakchott where cancer care is. Trarza, Assaba and the two Hodhs are the most represented.
Nouakchott groups its 3 wilayas (West 7.65%, North 4.23%, South 2.52%). These are the patients of one association, not an incidence by wilaya, which does not exist yet.
Source: Ithar association (إيثار), 2024 · permanent link
Where in Africa do most people die of breast cancer?
North and West Africa: deaths per 100 new cases, or number of cases, in 2024
Senegal47Nigeria48Morocco38Mauritania47Mali48Côte d'Ivoire47Algeria36
Deaths per 100 new cases< 3535-4040-45≥ 45no figure
Bubble size: number of new cases
In short: In West Africa, nearly one person in two with breast cancer dies of it. In the Maghreb, it is fewer than four in ten.
Only countries whose figures ROSE has linked to an IARC fact sheet are coloured.
Source: IARC, GLOBOCAN, 2024 · permanent link
Where are the cases and deaths in the world?
Each continent's share of breast cancer cases and deaths, 2024
Asia45.1%Europe22.3%North America13.2%Latin America8.8%Africa9.3%Oceania1.3%
Share of the world total< 5%5-10%10-15%15-25%≥ 25%
Share of the world total< 5%5-10%10-15%15-25%≥ 25%
In short: Africa has 9.3% of cases but 14.4% of deaths: women there are diagnosed later. North America, on the other hand, has many more cases than deaths.
Latin America and the Caribbean: 100% minus the other continents (ROSE calculation).
Source: CA Cancer J Clin, 2026 · permanent link
Download the data
All ROSE Data figures are free to reuse, with credit to the original sources. Read the methodology before using them.
mauritanie_globocan_2024.csvmauritanie_evolution.csvmauritanie_serie_cno_200.csvmauritanie_brca.csvmauritanie_campagnes.csvafrique_pays_2024.csvmonde_indicateurs.csvmonde_survie_revenu.csvithar_2024_localisations.csvithar_2024_wilayas.csvithar_2024_moughataas.csvithar_2024_services.csvithar_2024_campagne.csv
The data files are in French.
Detailed sources: list of sources · methodology.