Over 1,500 children diagnosed with cancer

Aug 12, 2012

Over 1,500 children are diagnosed with cancer annually, the director Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), Dr. Jackson Orem has revealed.

By Florence Nakaayi, Agnes Nantambi and Viola Nabatanzi

Over 1,500 children are diagnosed with cancer annually, the director Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), Dr. Jackson Orem has revealed.

He said cancer cases have increased from 15000 in 2010 to 33000 in 2011, with children cancer cases contributing to about 5%.   Among adults, cervical cancer leads among women while prostate cancer ranks highest among men

Orem made the remarks at the celebrations held to mark 45 years of the Institute's existence last week. The celebrations were held under the theme, “45 years of childhood cancer advocacy, research and treatment is most opportune.”

The celebrations brought together cancer survivors who gave their testimonies, civil society organisations, the Uganda Child Cancer Foundation (UCCF), Community Health and Information Network (CHAIN) and school children.

“We believe children are good ambassadors in awareness creation and through them we can have a multiplier effect in cancer prevention, early diagnosis and treatment since they can sensitise their peers, parents and community,” CHAIN country manager Regina Kamoga said.

School children of the 3C (Children Caring about Cancer) clubs from King’s college Budo, Mount St. Mary’s Namagunga, Naalya SS, St. Mary’s College Kisubi and CHAIN vulnerable children staged performances in promotion of cancer prevention, treatment and care.

UCCF in collaboration with schools’ administrations carry out the cancer awareness while a Germany pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim supports CHAIN children’s health literacy programme.

The state minister for health, Dr. Richard Nduhura regretted that despite the fact that over 80% of childhood cancers in Uganda are curable, majority of children with cancer are continuing to die to the disease.

“We advocate for multi-sectoral approach to this issue with stakeholders from government and civil society,” he said.

Nduhura called for more research into the causes of childhood cancer, how it can be prevented and effectively treated. Meanwhile Government of Uganda has built a sh9.6b building for the cancer treatment.

Only 15% of children with cancers countrywide are diagnosed according to UCI.

Orem said the commonest cancer in children is Burkett’s lymphoma, followed by Kaposi’s sarcoma. Burkett’s lymphoma affects the jaw while Kaposi’s sarcoma is commonly associated with HIV/AIDS and mainly affects the blood vessels.

HIV was cited as the major contributor of cancers in children. However Orem noted that many children report to the hospital at late stage of the infection.

“Due to ignorance, many people first consult traditional healers relating the disease to witchcraft,” he said.

Orem said they have embarked on treating cancer holistically that is from prevention to palliative care as well as decentralising services.

“Currently Cancer services are offered in Mbarara and Arua referral hospitals while community awareness campaigns have been launched in Mayuge district,” he said

Over 400 people were diagnosed for Hepatitis B (causes liver cancer) and different cancers including breast cancer, cervical cancer, and prostate cancer during the three-day celebrations.

The UCI health educator, Joseph Muwonge confirmed that out of the over 400 diagnoses carried out, 16 people were found to have cervical cancer while 50 had breast cancer. 

 

 

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