Mauritius – CANMA : Cancer Association of Mauritius working through a National Pageant to sensitize men and women.

CANMA is working with the South Africa’s CANSA to empower the fight against cancer. CANMA’s purpose is to lead the fight against cancer in Mauritius. A non-profit organisation that works on educating and informing the public about healthier lifestyle with focus on cancer awareness campaigns. CANMA derived as an initiative from the Miss India Mauritius pageant whereby the participants are the ambassadors of this cause and they aim is to spread out cancer awareness in Mauritius and encourage screening.

The approach of CANMA is as followed:

(1) Diagnosis –

• Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) Scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan
• Ultrasound
• Mammography
• X-ray
• Endoscopy
• Nuclear Medicine

(2) Cytological Examinations for confirmation –

• Exfoliative Cytology
• Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)
• Biopsy examination

(3) Treatment

Method of treatment depends upon the site and type of cancer. Normally three methods are used:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy

Sometimes alone or in combination are advocated for treatment.

The vision of the organization is:

• To promote a healthy lifestyle through campaigns
• Help cancer patients through moral support
• Spread awareness on Cancer
• To promote dietary meals to cancer patients

The Organisation organises

1. Workshops and preventive campaigns at:

• Candos Public Hospital
• Public Beaches
• Riambel Southern Handicapped Association
• Social Centres
• Schools
• Religious Places
• Screening tests in public sports and parkings

1. Organise sports activities and outdoor activities

The organisation relies solely on the service and cooperation/collaboration provided by its team members. There is no budget for the activities.

Monitoring of the project and sensitisation is ensured through:

• Follow ups on tips given to audience
• Establishes contact via telephone.
• Interview audience after campaigns
• Create online Google forms to assess if online information shared on Facebook is being rightly interpreted
• Positive responses: Invites for other campaigns

One of the main challenges is financial resources. Since the organisation depend solely on volunteers and donations gathered by members, the scope of the activities are limited. Also, there is a lack of team members, volunteers and interns to keep the organisation moving.