Uganda Cancer Institute experts say about three in four patients arrive for treatment when cancer has reached stages three or four, highlighting the need for greater awareness, early detection and timely medical care.
About 75% of patients seeking cancer treatment at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) arrive when the disease has reached an advanced stage, reducing their chances of successful treatment, health experts have warned.
Dr James Kafeero, an oncologist at UCI in Mulago, said most patients present with stage three or four cancer, making treatment more difficult.
Speaking to journalists at the Media Centre in Kampala ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Kafeero said Uganda registers approximately 30,000 new cancer cases annually, with breast cancer ranking among the country’s most common cancers after cervical cancer.
“About 75 per cent of the patients who come to the institute seek treatment when the disease has advanced to stages three and four,” Kafeero said.
He attributed delays in seeking medical care partly to misinformation about breast cancer, fear of treatment procedures and limited awareness of the disease.
Some patients, he said, postpone seeking medical attention because they do not experience pain in the early stages.
Kafeero urged both men and women to examine their breasts regularly and seek medical assessment whenever they notice unusual changes. He cautioned that the absence of pain does not mean the breasts are healthy, as breast cancer may develop without causing pain in its early stages.
He also addressed fears surrounding mastectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of a breast, explaining that it may be necessary in some cases depending on the type and extent of the cancer and the patient’s condition.
Possible warning signs of breast cancer include an unusual lump in the breast, changes in breast shape or skin, nipple changes and other abnormalities. Anyone who notices such changes should seek medical assessment, although these symptoms do not necessarily mean a person has cancer.
The warnings come during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign held in October to raise awareness about the disease, promote early detection and encourage people to seek timely medical care.
This year’s global theme, “Every Story Is Unique, and Every Journey Matters,” highlights the individual experiences of people affected by breast cancer and the importance of access to appropriate care and support.
Health experts say improving awareness and encouraging timely assessment of suspicious symptoms could help more patients access diagnosis and treatment before the disease advances.