Tunisia recorded 22,101 new cases of cancer in 2023 across all regions, with 11,773 cases among men and 10,328 among women, the head of epidemiology at the Salah Azaiez Institute in Tunis told TAP. According to the Cancer Registry of Northern Tunisia, the top five most common cancers in men are lung cancer, followed by bladder cancer (2nd), prostate cancer (3rd), colorectal cancer (4th) and rectal cancer. For women, the top five cancers are breast cancer, colorectal cancer (2nd), rectal cancer (3rd), thyroid cancer (4th) and cervical cancer (5th). Projections suggest that the number of new cases will more than double by 2040 compared to 2020, to 41,353 cases, according to a document from the Salah Azaiez Institute, a copy of which was seen by TAP. The upward trend in cancer incidence is mainly due to improvements in life expectancy, alarming levels of smoking among men in recent years, the abandonment of traditional diets in favour of a western diet rich in fats, and a growing tendency towards a sedentary lifestyle, according to the official. She went on to say that a third of cancers could be prevented through primary prevention, in particular through anti-smoking campaigns, efforts to reduce alcohol consumption, promotion of healthy eating habits and physical activity. She added that many cancers can be cured if detected early and treated effectively. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse