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HOIMA - Hoima residents have been urged to screen for cancer considering that cases of the disease are on the rise in the country. 

Uganda Cancer Institute public health specialist Richard Ekwan made the call during a two-day free health camp at Kigorobya Health Centre IV in Hoima City on Saturday, March  16, 2024, organized by the Lion's Club of Hoima Albertine in partnership with Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and Vision Group's Kabalega FM.

Ekwan said they register at least 50 new patients daily at the Uganda Cancer Institute.

He added that 80-90 per cent of new cases registered are cancer in its advanced stage which makes it difficult to cure.

Ekwan revealed that cancer of the cervix is the most diagnosed type at the institute taking about 50% of the cases.

He called upon all parents and guardians to prevent their daughters from cancer of the cervix by giving them two doses of Human Papilloma vaccine (HPV) for every girl of at least 10 years of age.

Among men, prostate cancer is the most diagnosed type according to Ekwan.

He advises all men above 50 years to consider screening for cancer so that it can be detected at an early stage which is easy to cure.