Mars in it's triplicity is considered lucky(like all planets in triplicity) because it's malefic nature is tempered by the water signs. It's not as likely to get itself in trouble in water signs, more so Scorpio and Pisces, because it's in it's fall in Cancer.
It's not afflicted, because for a planet to be afflicted, there has to be at least more than one thing to bring it down. But I guess it kinda depends..
Like, for instance, Venus conjunct Mars doesn't make Venus automatically afflicted, or Mars conjunct Jupiter..But Saturn conjunct Venus might hurt Venus a bit..Probably cause Saturn is a stronger malefic...
But also, if an afflicted planet is conjunct a non-afflicted planet, it will bring the non-afflicted planet down...