Breast cancer cases on the rise as Uganda marks world cancer month
Kampala- The trend of breast cancer among females is on the rise as Uganda joins the rest of the world to commemorate the breast cancer month established in 1985 by the American cancer society.
According to Prof Henry Wabinga, the Kampala Cancer Registry manager, an institution that monitors and regulates cancer treatment programmes in the country, the annual rise in the breast cancer incidences currently stands at six per cent.
“This means that in about 20 years, the incidence of breast cancer is likely to overtake cervical cancer which currently stands at about 50 cases per 100,000 of the population,” said Prof Wabinga.
He noted that the studies conducted by the cancer registry into breast cancer indicate that it currently stands at 45 cases per 100,000 of the population but this differs depending on age.
“We have to look at the risk factors of cancer and early screening which should be divided into self-examination and doctor examination,” said Prof Wabinga.
“Breast cancer develops when the behaviour of certain cells becomes abnormal.
Instead of the cells dying off, they multiply continuously and develop into a lump,” Prof Wabinga explained.
He added that the major problem with cancer treatment in the country is that patients come to hospital when the cancers are already in advanced stages.
However, Prof Wabinga urged government to invest in sensitizing the public and extending cancer screening services for early detection.
Dr Fred Okuku, a medical oncologist at Uganda Cancer Institute while explaining the various methods used to screen cancer, also noted that there an increasing trend for breast cancer with a reduction in cervical cancer.
“We use various tests to detect breast cancer but when you are below 40 years of age, an ultra sound scan is recommended because of the density of the breasts,” said Okuku.
According to the Ministry of Health, the burden of cancer is increasing with exposure to risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and westernised lifestyles, body inactivity, increased cholesterol levels and family history of the disease.
WHAT MONITOR PUBLICATIONS LTD IS DOING
Today, the Daily Monitor newspaper is coloured quite pink, from page 1 to the last page. It is certainly different from what you our readers are used to. It is all for a noble cause. We are doing this because of the breast and cervical cancer awareness campaign we are running. For the whole of October, we will run stories, personal experiences, expert advice and much more to let you know how serious this problem is and what you can do to avoid, detect it early enough and treat it. We also encourage you to share your stories with us so we can let others know how different people have coped with this disease. You will also have found a pink strip of ribbon attached to the cover of today’s paper for you to wear as an ambassador in the fight against cancer.
Spread the word. Get screened. Save a life.
