Expert calls for establishment of cancer registries

Professor Charles Olweny who is also a retired oncologist has called on government to establish cancer registries at different regional hospitals purposely to improve treatment and research in cancer as well as to record the incidence rates of different cancers in the country.

Talking about colorectal cancer and the global trends and implications for Uganda, Prof. Olweny said most cancers in the country have increased in incidence over time, but the available information is only obtained from Kyadondo Cancer Registry leaving out prevalence of cancers in other regions.

This was during the launch of Dr. Freda Omaswa Ssemaganda Health and Education Foundation (FOSHE) held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

Olweny who is also the chairman board of directors, Uganda Cancer Institute (ICT) said the cancers also change, adding that 20 years ago, colon and Kaposi sarcoma cancers were not on the list of top ten cancers in the country, but today, they are among the top ten cancers killing Ugandans.

Kyadondo Cancer Registry is the oldest in Africa having been founded in 1951, and is where information regarding all types of cancers is collected.

"We need cancer registries countrywide because the one we have talks only about cancer prevalence in Kyadondo. We would like to know the prevalence of different cancers in other regions of the country" he said

"Each of these regions should have their own cancer registries so that they are able to advise us on which are the commonest cancers, which ones are killing people the most and how to address them," he added.

The Vice President, Edward Ssekandi while launching the foundation commended the family of Ssemaganda for the thought of starting a foundation in her memory, noting that the exemplary short life she lived was not in vain.

Ssekandi acknowledged that cancer is a deadly disease which is on the rise in the country, and to promote health human capacity, and social economic transformation, government with its partners are focusing on disease prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.

He called upon Ugandans to develop the habit of going for early cancer screening and other health check-ups to live healthy, long and productive lives.

Colorectal cancer/colon cancer

Prof. Clement F. Kiire, a gastroenterologist in the UK who gave a lecture on colon cancer during the launch said this type of cancer affects the colon (large bowel) and rectum (back passage).

He explained that 90% of cases globally are usually diagnosed among people aged 50 and above, though even those below can also get it.

Kiire explained that some of the risk factors include both genetic and environmental, among them; age, family history of cancer, lack of physical activity, consumption of refined foods and high fat foods like red meat, fast foods, obesity, smoking and over consumption of alcohol.

"To minimize on the increasing incidences of cancers in the country, Ugandans need to embrace healthy lifestyles like consuming foods containing folic acid for instance, fruits and vegetables, not fast foods, do regular exercises, and avoid smoking, alcohol consumption as well as go for regular check-ups," he advised.

Who is Dr. Freda Omaswa Ssemaganda?

She was the fifth and last born of Prof. Francis Omaswa and died of metastatic colorectal cancer last year just at the age of 33.

At the time of her diagnosis with colon cancer, she was engaged in a research project in Mali to develop a malaria vaccine.

She also pursued a fellowship in infectious diseases through the University of British Columbia after graduating from McGill University faculty of Medicine to find a solution to the ferocious infectious and tropical diseases in Uganda.

Prof. Fred Wabwire Mangen, chairperson, FOSHE said the foundation has been established to carry on her legacy and objectives/areas of focus include; addressing current and emerging communicable and non-communicable diseases in the country, harnessing research to mitigate health threats, optimizing knowledge management of health improvement among others.