75% of Cancer Patients in Uganda Seek Treatment at Advanced Stages, Experts Warn

What the report says

Uganda Cancer Institute experts are warning that many cancer patients in Uganda still seek care too late, with about three in four arriving when the disease has already reached stage three or four. The issue was raised by Dr. James Kafeero, an oncologist at UCI in Mulago, during remarks to journalists at the Media Centre in Kampala ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

Kafeero said Uganda records roughly 30,000 new cancer cases each year and noted that breast cancer remains one of the country’s most common cancers after cervical cancer. He said late presentation reduces the chances of successful treatment and makes care more difficult, especially when patients have already developed advanced disease.

He linked the delays to misinformation, fear of treatment procedures and low awareness, saying some people wait because early breast cancer may not cause pain. He encouraged both men and women to examine themselves regularly and to seek medical assessment if they notice unusual changes such as lumps, skin changes, nipple changes or other abnormalities.

The report comes as health workers use Breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote early detection and timely care. More broadly, it reflects a common public-health challenge in many low- and middle-income settings, where late diagnosis can worsen outcomes and increase the burden on specialist cancer services.