Monitor cancer awareness campaign back

A woman undergoes breast cancer screening. Photo by Rachel Mabala

What you need to know:

  • With the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) recording about 60,000 new cancer cases annually, the campaign will also offer free screening services to the public through partnering healthcare providers under their umbrella body, Uganda Healthcare Federation.
  • Ms Grace Ssali Kiwanuka, the Uganda Healthcare Federation executive director, encouraged mothers to utilise the opportunity and go for screening, not forgetting to take their young daughters for immunisation against the Human papilloma virus (HPV), responsible for causing cervical cancer.

Kampala. As the fight against cancer in Uganda continues to gain momentum, Monitor Publications Limited (MPL) has launched the second edition of its cancer awareness campaign to provide information on the disease during the entire month of October.
October is breast cancer awareness month globally.
With the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) recording about 60,000 new cancer cases annually, the campaign will also offer free screening services to the public through partnering healthcare providers under their umbrella body, Uganda Healthcare Federation. The cancer awareness campaign will run from October 1 to October 31
According to MPL executive editor Charles Odoobo Bichachi, the campaign is aimed at creating awareness around the disease by providing information on cancer through experiences shared by both patients and medical professionals.

“Cancer is a growing problem in the country and we think part of the solution to the problem is to share information with our readers. What are the things that we need to do to avoid cancer or for those who already have cancer, what is it that they need to do to prolong their lives or lessen the burden and pains?” Mr Bichachi said.
While commenting on last year’s campaign, Mr Bichachi said it created “huge awareness”, adding that the role of health promotion had for too long been left to the Ministry of Health alone yet the media can help to elevate awareness levels.
The features editor, Ms Mariam Nakisekka, said: “Each day, the audience should expect stories on cancer, specifically on patients’ profiles, experiences and survivor stories which will give our readers hope.”
At the same time, she added that readers will learn about how to prevent and manage cancer.

Ms Grace Ssali Kiwanuka, the Uganda Healthcare Federation executive director, encouraged mothers to utilise the opportunity and go for screening, not forgetting to take their young daughters for immunisation against the Human papilloma virus (HPV), responsible for causing cervical cancer.
“During the campaign, we have encouraged our members to provide screening services and also provide HPV vaccination for young girls aged 10 at facilities where Ministry of Health already provides vaccines for free,” Ms Kiwanuka said.
Ms Barbara Nyakaana, the officer-in-charge of MPL corporate social responsibility, said: “Just like last year, we have partners joining us to educate the people of Uganda as we fight the cancer scourge.” “Information will be shared on MPL platforms, which include: Daily Monitor, KFM, DembeFM, Monitor Digital and Online,” she added.