The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has sounded a clear and urgent alarm this Breast Cancer Awareness Month: “Early Detection Saves Lives.” As the leading cancer among women in Uganda, the disease presents a formidable public health challenge, yet one that the UCI is aggressively tackling through a national push for screening, awareness, and decentralising treatment.
According to Dr. Jackson Orem, Executive Director of the Uganda Cancer Institute, the statistics demand immediate action.
“Each year, Uganda records more than 4,000 new cases of breast cancer, and tragically, many women still present with the disease at advanced stages,” Dr. Orem said at the Uganda Media Centre today.
He noted, however, that the good news remains a powerful motivator: with early detection and timely treatment, up to 90% of breast cancers are curable.
Breast Cancer Burden in Uganda
Dr. Orem revealed that data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN 2024) paints a stark picture of the cancer landscape for Ugandan women.
The disease continues to affect women at younger ages, with many cases reported among women between 30 and 50 years.
He stressed that late presentation remains a major challenge, with nearly 80% of patients diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment outcomes are poorer.
Common Risk Factors
Dr. Orem noted that while the exact cause of breast cancer is not known, several factors increase a woman’s risk, including:
Age – cancer risk increases as a woman gets older.
Family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
Hormonal factors – early onset of menstruation or late menopause.
Lifestyle factors – obesity, lack of physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
Reproductive factors – not breastfeeding, or having the first child after age 30.
However, according to Dr. Orem, the overwhelming challenge remains the delay between onset and diagnosis.
“When cancer is found late, treatment is more complex, prognosis is poorer, and the financial and emotional burden on families is significantly higher,” he explained.
From Awareness to Advanced Treatment
The UCI’s strategy to reduce the breast cancer mortality rate rests on a twin-pronged approach: empowering the public through education and expanding access to state-of-the-art care.
Dr. Orem stressed that every woman must become an active participant in her own health. He explained that the UCI strongly recommends three levels of cancer screening:
Regular Breast Self-Examination
Women should check their breasts monthly for any unusual lumps, pain, or discharge and report changes immediately.
Clinical Breast Examination
An examination performed by a trained health worker at a clinic is recommended at least once a year.
Screening Mammography
Recommended for women aged 40 and above, or earlier for individuals with a high-risk family history. In addition to screening, the UCI emphasises lifestyle adjustments to mitigate risk, including maintaining a healthy body weight, engaging in regular physical exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
Comprehensive, Decentralised Treatment
Dr. Orem highlighted that at the UCI, breast cancer treatment is managed using a modern, multi-modality approach, which includes;
Surgery: To remove cancerous tissue.
Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy: To destroy cancer cells systemically and locally.
Hormonal and Targeted Therapies: Advanced options for specific cancer subtypes.
Dr. Orem emphasised that critically, the government of Uganda provides free or subsidised breast cancer treatment at the UCI.
Furthermore, in a major leap toward improving access, he revealed that the UCI is actively working to decentralise cancer services by establishing regional cancer centers in Gulu, Mbarara, Mbale, and Arua.
This effort, according to Dr. Orem, aims to bring screening, diagnosis, and care closer to communities, reducing the often-fatal logistical barriers faced by patients travelling to Kampala.
The October Call to Action
Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, UCI and its partners are mobilising with free and targeted activities which include:
Free Screening: Available at the UCI campus and select regional hospitals.
Mass Sensitisation: Extensive public education campaigns across media platforms to teach Ugandans about breast self-examination and early warning signs.
Capacity Building: Training programs for health workers to strengthen screening and referral systems at the grassroots level.
Dr. Orem’s final message is a resounding one for all Ugandans: “Breast cancer is treatable and curable when caught early. We call upon all Ugandans to spread the message that early detection saves lives.”
The commitment of the Uganda Cancer Institute remains clear: to ensure every citizen has access to quality, affordable, and timely cancer care, making the 90% cure rate an achievable reality for the women of Uganda.