The Overlooked Realities of Breast Cancer in Uganda

What the report says

Dr. Aleesha Adatia, an oncologist and Head of Oncology at C-Care International Hospital Kampala, used a Watchdog Uganda opinion piece to argue that breast cancer awareness in Uganda needs to go beyond the pink-ribbon message often emphasized in October. She said clinics typically see more women seeking breast examinations and mammograms during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but many patients still delay care because their symptoms do not match common assumptions about the disease.

The article says breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Uganda, with about 3,000 new cases estimated in 2022, citing GLOBOCAN. Adatia highlighted several warning signs that can be missed, including painless lumps, skin dimpling or redness, nipple inversion, unusual discharge, and changes in breast shape or symmetry. She also noted that relying only on pain or the presence of a lump can lead women to ignore important changes.

Another focus of the piece was risk awareness. Adatia wrote that family history on the father’s side matters as much as the mother’s, and that many women diagnosed with breast cancer have no known family history. She also cautioned that younger women can develop the disease and should not assume they are too young to be at risk. In a broader context, the article reflects ongoing public health efforts in Uganda to encourage earlier detection, informed screening and prompt medical assessment.

Adatia said treatment today may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy, depending on the case, and stressed the importance of psychosocial support and palliative care alongside medical treatment.