{UAH} Join the fight against cancer

Join the fight against cancer

Yesterday was World Cancer Day. This year's worldwide tagline is , 'Not beyond us' with the focus being on taking a positive and proactive approach to the fight against cancer and raise more awareness on the disease. Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that metamorphoses to cause tumours. It is curable if detected and treated early enough. Many people are dying in ignorance and some think it is witchcraft.
Most health facilities in Uganda have limited capacity in terms of facilities, personnel and equipment to diagnose cancer and this delays early detections and referrals. A lot needs to be done to raise public awareness. According to reports, the cancer burden for Uganda alone is estimated at 35,000 cases annually. The mortality rate of those diagnosed with cancer is 79 per cent. Eighty-five per cent of patients with cancer come from the rural areas without access to specialised cancer care and treatment. Only 4 per cent of the cases diagnosed currently present for treatment at the Uganda Cancer Institute meaning that 96 per cent die without care or treatment, .
There are more than 200 cancers reported worldwide. The most common reported in Uganda are; cervical cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, cancer of the kidney, among others.
Cancer is very expensive to treat especially when it progresses to late stages.
Therefore, Ugandans should avoid reckless lifestyles such as smoking; alcoholism and prostitution, unprotected sex with multiple partners.
Instead, let us exercise regularly, eat vegetables, fruits and whole grain foods and avoid oily foods/fast foods.
Ugandans should also join the cancer fight by participating in preventive cancer related programmes such as cancer awareness prjects, cancer runs/walks, screening for early detection and trainings, among others.
Government and donor agencies should redirect their focus on non communicable diseases and equip the health facilities with necessary capacities to facilitate early diagnosis of cancer. Social and mass media and all stakeholders must join the cancer fight in any way they can.
Michael Emoot,
National Cancer Awareness Association

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"When a man is stung by a bee, he doesn't set off to destroy all beehives"

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