Where the figures come from, how we calculate them, and their limits.
1. One rule: no figure without a source
Every figure links to an identified source, with its year. We do not publish figures passed on without a reference, seen only in the press, or inconsistent. When data do not exist, we say so, and we never replace them with an estimate.
Preferred sources, in this order: WHO; IARC (Global Cancer Observatory, GLOBOCAN); French National Cancer Institute (INCa); American Cancer Society; National Cancer Institute; Cancer Research UK; French League against Cancer; published scientific articles; official Mauritanian sources (Ministry of Health, AMI, CNO, CNAM).
2. GLOBOCAN estimates
Mauritania has no population-based cancer registry. National figures (cases, deaths, prevalence) are IARC estimates. Each edition (2018, 2020, 2022, 2024) uses different data and methods: IARC advises against comparing them to measure a trend. We show GLOBOCAN 2022 (600 cases, 315 deaths) and GLOBOCAN 2024 (844 cases, 399 deaths) side by side, without talking about an increase.
3. Our calculations
Out of 100 people diagnosed, how many die? = deaths ÷ new cases × 100, for the same year and the same source. This is the , a rough indicator of access to diagnosis and care.
Stage III or IV (67.9%) = 44.5% (stage III) + 23.4% (stage IV), published by Brahim et al. 2022.
Men (1.5%) = 100% − 98.5% women in the CNO series of 200 cases.
BRCA patients (27.7%) = 38 ÷ 137.
4. Mauritanian studies
Mamina et al., PAMJ 2025: 200 CNO records (2020-2021). Immunohistochemistry profile available for only 102 patients.
Brahim et al., BMC Cancer 2022: 137 patients chosen because a family form was suspected. The percentages (BRCA, stages) do not apply to all patients.
Hospital registry 2000-2009 (Ould Mohamed Baba and Sauvaget, PAMJ 2013): cancers confirmed by biopsy at the CHN, not a national incidence.
5. Association data
The Ithar association's 2024 health report (a document shared with Data Squad) describes the patients it helps, all cancers combined. It is not a representative sample of the country. Some links between labels and figures were made based on the report's layout.
6. What was left out
Removed: a series of 60 cases whose reference could not be found; figures seen only in the press; a calculated “remainder” not published by a study; inconsistent national values. They will come back if a source confirms them.
7. Data and updates
Last updated: 2026-10-05. The data are stored in JSON and CSV files kept separate from the code:
See all sources · Information based on publications by the WHO, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the French National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, Cancer Research UK and published scientific studies.