A comprehensive survey of 1,000 adults in Nouakchott, Mauritania's capital, reveals a concerning cancer risk landscape: 66.6% are overweight or obese, 58% show abdominal adiposity, 64.7% are physically inactive, and dietary patterns favor cancer-promoting foods with 66.8% consuming high amounts of red meat and 67.5% eating refined cereals daily. Only 13.8% consume fresh fruits regularly. This represents one of the first population-based assessments of cancer risk factors in this West African nation. The findings illuminate how rapid urbanization and nutritional transition in developing countries create metabolic disease burdens typically associated with Western populations. The obesity prevalence approaches rates seen in developed nations, while physical inactivity exceeds global averages. These results underscore how low- and middle-income countries face a dual burden: infectious diseases alongside rising chronic disease risks. The stark sex and regional differences in risk factors suggest targeted interventions could be effective. However, as this remains a preprint awaiting peer review, these striking prevalence estimates require validation. The study provides crucial baseline data for cancer prevention strategies in a region where such comprehensive health surveillance has been historically limited.