By Abraham Malinga
Communications intern- ICPAU
In a world where cancer continues to cast a long and daunting shadow over countless lives, the pursuit of effective prevention and management strategies has never been more crucial. As medical science marches forward, offering fresh insights and innovative approaches, the battle against this relentless disease enters a new and promising phase.
The Executive Director of the Uganda Cancer Institute, Dr. Jackson Orem noted that 70% of cancer diagnosis will be in low-income countries by 2030, driven by factors such as improved life expectancy. He was delivering a presentation on cancer prevention and management at the 28th Annual Seminar of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda.
In Uganda, cancer is a major public health problem. In 2020, there were 34,008 new cancer cases, 22,992 cancer deaths, and 62,548 adults living with cancer (5-years’ prevalent cases). The top five causes of cancer morbidity are cervix, Kaposi sarcoma (KS), breast, prostate, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Despite these facts, Dr Orem noted that cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus which is spread through sexual intercourse, and hence the need for females to protect themselves.
Factors fueling the cancer burden in sub-Saharan Africa include increased life expectancy which produces an aging population, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the high prevalence of many infectious causes of cancer such as HHV-8 for Kaposi sarcoma, HPV for cervical cancer, and HBV for liver cancer, tobacco and alcohol use, and poverty and other practices that increase exposure to carcinogenic substances including aflatoxins.
Dr Orem categorised the risk factors into 3, namely, infections (42%), lifestyle, age/genetic (30%), and lifestyle (28%).
To address the cancer burden, Dr Orem encouraged the development of a National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) Plan, which is a strategic plan to control cancer based on the country’s cancer disease burden, cancer risk factor burden, and resources available to implement the plan in the context of its culture and healthcare system.
He further highlighted the role of cancer awareness and cancer research in empowering people with knowledge on the prevention and management of cancer.
“I am very happy to tell you that awareness in the country is increasing though below 15%,” Dr. Orem noted. He emphasised to the participants that cancer should not be a scary problem but one that they can do something about. He reiterated that no one should be left behind since cancer control is a societal responsibility and the role of all individuals including the government, civil society organisations and private entities among others.
Dr Orem encouraged the following interventions at various stages of cancer management.
At prevention: tobacco control, healthy diet, physical activity, vaccines, reduction of exposure to the virus, reduced alchohol consumption.
At early detection: pap smear, mammography, colonoscopy, HPV testing, and cervical visual inspection.
At diagnosis and treatment: medical services, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.
At palliative care and survivorship: morphine, radiotherapy, support for survivors, community programmes and wellness services.
Mrs. Rusia Orikiriza Bariho, a stage 4 breast cancer survivor noted that cancer diagnoses are not death sentences. In her remarks, she encouraged participants at the seminar to equip themselves with the right information, as the first step towards cancer prevention and management. She further encouraged healthy lifestyle choices, healing practices such as being more in touch with nature, for example by walking barefoot on nature, as well as offering financial support towards cancer treatment.
In a Corporate Social Responsibility drive, and moved by Mrs Bariho’s story, accountants at the 28th Annual Seminar collected over UGX 8,000,000 towards cancer treatment in Uganda.
The Annual Seminar was held from 20-22 September 2023 at the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel.
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