The growing burden of cancer in the Busoga sub-region has raised concern among health workers, with new figures from Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja showing that the organisation registered 1,579 cancer patients in 2025.
According to the organisation’s data, women accounted for 63 per cent of the registered patients, while men represented 37 per cent. Children accounted for eight per cent of the total patients, although the data provided did not specify how these cases were distributed between boys and girls.
Cervical, breast and prostate cancers are among the most common forms of the disease reported by health workers at the organisation, which provides palliative care to cancer patients across Busoga and neighbouring areas.
Irene Nareeba, a clinical officer at Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja, said cervical cancer accounted for 41 per cent of the cancer cases recorded in the organisation’s data, highlighting the need for increased public awareness, screening and early diagnosis.
Another health worker at the organisation, Susan Walusansa, said the number of cancer patients seeking care in the region continued to increase annually, placing additional pressure on patients, their families and healthcare providers.
Walusansa identified prostate cancer as another major concern, saying it accounted for 30 per cent of male cancer cases recorded in the organisation’s data. Most patients diagnosed with the disease were aged between 50 and 75 years.
She urged men, particularly those in older age groups, to seek medical advice and discuss appropriate screening to improve the chances of early detection and timely treatment.
“We encourage men, especially those aged between 45 and 75, to go for regular check-ups, since the high-risk age starts at 50,” she said.
Health workers say one of the major challenges in managing cancer in Busoga is that many patients seek medical attention when the disease has already advanced, limiting treatment options and reducing the chances of successful outcomes.
Walusansa said some patients only visit health facilities when the disease has reached an advanced stage, making treatment more difficult.
“Unfortunately, the majority of patients come when the cancer has reached a stage where it is difficult to treat. When they come early, cancer can be treated and, in some cases, cured. However, when they present at stage four, the chances of survival are minimal,” she said.
She encouraged members of the public to seek medical advice and appropriate screening even when they feel healthy, noting that some cancers may not produce noticeable symptoms during their early stages.
“We encourage members of the public to go for cancer screening even when they do not feel anything. Men should seek appropriate prostate cancer screening, while women should go for cervical and breast cancer screening,” she said.
Walusansa also urged parents and guardians to ensure that eligible children receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which helps protect against HPV infections that can cause cervical cancer.
Health workers attribute some delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment to limited public awareness, misconceptions about the disease and gaps in cancer knowledge among some healthcare workers.
Walusansa said some patients initially attribute their condition to witchcraft and seek help from herbalists or other alternative practitioners before turning to medical facilities.
By the time they seek professional medical attention, she said, the disease may have progressed significantly, making treatment more complicated.
She also expressed concern that limited knowledge about cancer among some healthcare workers could contribute to delays in diagnosis. She called for increased public education and improved capacity among health workers to identify suspected cancer cases and refer patients for further assessment.
Health workers are urging communities to seek medical attention promptly when they notice unusual changes in their bodies and to avoid delaying professional care because of misconceptions about the disease.
They emphasised the need to strengthen public education so that communities can better understand cancer risk factors, recognise possible warning signs and appreciate the benefits of early diagnosis.
In an effort to raise cancer awareness and mobilise resources for patients, Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja has organised a Nile Cancer Run scheduled for October 24, 2026.
Proceeds from the run are expected to support the organisation’s provision of palliative care to cancer patients in Busoga and neighbouring areas.
The event is expected to bring together members of the public, political and community leaders, non-governmental organisations, schools and Rotary members to promote cancer awareness and support patients requiring care.
Organisers say the initiative aims to draw greater attention to the growing cancer burden while mobilising resources for patients who need pain management, relief from other symptoms and additional palliative care services.
“We encourage all members of the public, leaders, NGOs, schools and Rotary members to embrace this cause because cancer is becoming a burden in Busoga,” the health workers said.
Palliative care is an important component of cancer management, particularly for patients experiencing pain and other complications associated with the disease. It aims to improve patients’ quality of life while providing practical and emotional support to their families.
Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja provides services across the Busoga sub-region and neighbouring districts, including Buikwe, Kayunga and Buvuma.
The organisation is encouraging cancer patients and their families to seek its palliative care services or request referrals to the Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago for further assessment and treatment where necessary.
Health workers say expanding access to cancer information, screening, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment will be critical to addressing the growing burden of the disease in the region.
They are calling for stronger collaboration among healthcare providers, government institutions, community leaders and development partners to improve cancer awareness and ensure patients receive care as early as possible.
They also believe that greater community participation in screening programmes and initiatives such as the Nile Cancer Run could help mobilise resources for cancer care, improve the quality of life of affected families and strengthen the region’s response to the disease.