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Experts call for deeper inquest into cancer as annual incidence swells by 8,000
Prof Rhoda Wanyenze, the Dean of MakSPH. PHOTO/ TONY ABET
What you need to know:
- A previous study report authored by Judith Asasira of UCI and colleagues indicates that cancer incidence could rise by 40 percent by 2030 due to changes in risk factors and population growth.
- Ms Margaret Muhanga, the State Minister for Primary Healthcare, during the Friday celebrations, appreciated the school for the technical support to the government and asked them to do more
Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), which brings in almost half of the university's research grants, has stepped up its focus on cancer research as the disease's annual incidence climbed from 27,000 to 36,000 in just a decade.
Prof Rhoda Wanyenze, the Dean of MakSPH, indicated during the school's 70th-anniversary celebrations on Friday that they are establishing facilities to do cancer research.
“Part of the challenge that we've been having is space/infrastructure, and we are constructing. We continue to fundraise to complete it, and we are hoping that when that building is done, we will equip it so that we can expand our research with a very strong laboratory,” she said in an interview.
“There are many things we would like to track. For example, increasingly we're seeing younger people getting cancers that we cannot fully explain from the epidemiology that we know.
“We want to do more work to understand what is driving this. Is it something that we eat? We've seen stories of people spraying our fruits, and our vegetables. We are increasingly using chemicals in all our spaces. Might they be responsible for this? We haven't fully studied that,” she added.
According to a July 2024 report published in the scientific journal BMC Cancer by Annet Nakaganda of Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) and colleagues, the cancer trend in Uganda, like other countries in the world, is worrying.
“Cancer incidence estimates suggest an increase in Uganda from 27,410 new cases in 2012 to 35,968 cases in 2022. Similarly, cancer-related deaths have increased from 17,120 in 2012 to 24,629 in 2022,” the report reads.
A previous study report authored by Judith Asasira of UCI and colleagues indicates that cancer incidence could rise by 40 percent by 2030 due to changes in risk factors and population growth.
Specifically, the 2022 report indicates that “Cervical, breast and prostate cancer incidence was projected to increase by 35 percent, 57.7 percent and 33.4 percent, respectively.”
On what could be the leading drivers, cancer specialists suggest that besides genetic factors, lack of physical exercise, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, and increased age at birth of a first child, are some of the contributors. The other risk factors (causes) include treatment with hormone replacement therapy, family history of cancer, HIV/Aids infection, liver disease, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, said during the Friday celebrations held at MakSPH facility within the University's main campus, that they have granted the school a “stand-alone” status.
Prof Nawangwe said this new status will help the school do more research that benefits the public. He applauded the school for being pivotal in the country’s disease prevention efforts and epidemic response to diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola and HIV.
“When it comes to research, the School is our flagship for Makerere. The School brings in almost 50 percent of all research grants, both in number and value. The School’s work in HIV research continues to be transformative,” Prof Nawangwe said.
“Through ongoing innovations, including injectable therapies led by researchers like Professor Noah Kiwanuka, the School is contributing significantly to global advancements in HIV care. I am confident that, with its newfound autonomy, the School will continue to pioneer ground-breaking public health solutions.
“As we look ahead, we have decided to make the School of Public Health a stand-alone School to have the status of a College. And we believe this should empower the School to do even more in research and community engagement than it has done before to amplify its research and community outreach, particularly in sustainable health, environmental health, and planetary health,” he added.
Ms Margaret Muhanga, the State Minister for Primary Healthcare, during the Friday celebrations, appreciated the school for the technical support to the government and asked them to do more.
“Now we need to focus on health systems strengthening, research and innovations, climate change, equity and social justice in health and non-communicable disease control,” she said.
