SSM reports 2,445 new cancer cases in 2023; mortality declines as survival improves

Macau reported 2,445 new cancer cases in 2023, with data from the Health Bureau (SSM) indicating a downward trend in the overall cancer mortality rate and an increase in the five-year relative survival rate for cancer.

The bureau released its 2023 Annual Report of the Macau Cancer Registry yesterday, highlighting the emergence of 2,445 new cancer cases.

The report noted that the overall age-standardized incidence rate is 238 per 100,000 population, with lung cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer being the most frequently diagnosed types. In terms of mortality, there were 874 cancer-related deaths, translating to an age-standardized mortality rate of 85 per 100,000 population.

The leading causes of cancer fatalities were identified as lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and liver cancer, underscoring ongoing public health challenges in the region.

At yesterday’s press conference, Alvis Lo, director of the bureau, emphasized the guiding principle of his office: “Prevention First • Appropriate Medical Care.”

He noted that the bureau has made significant strides in enhancing cancer care through early prevention, detection, and diagnosis.

Over the past decade, the incidence rates of lung, breast, and colorectal cancers have gradually increased, consistent with international and regional trends. However, Macau’s overall cancer mortality rate has declined by nearly 18% compared to a decade ago, while the five-year relative survival rate for cancer has improved from 59% to 62%, positioning Macau among the world’s leaders in cancer care.

“According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, one-third of cancers are preventable,” emphasized Lo, highlighting significant public health achievements over the past three years. The bureau has successfully achieved a third-dose hepatitis B vaccination rate exceeding 97% for children under one year old, and over 90% of girls have received two doses of the cervical cancer vaccine before age 15, meeting the WHO’s cervical cancer prevention target for 2030.

However, Lo also pointed out that approximately two-thirds of women in Macau still do not have regular screening habits. He underscored the crucial role of cervical cancer screening, noting that thanks to nearly four decades of screening services in Macau, both the incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer have significantly decreased by 30% over the past decade.

Book appointments for cancer screenings

At the press conference, it was announced that the Health Bureau will launch the “Comprehensive Cancer Screening Platform” on the Macao One Account today. This new platform will allow residents to directly book appointments for screenings of four major cancers: cervical, colorectal, breast, and lung cancer.