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Media urged to prioritise cancer awareness and support

20 June 2024, 3:27 pm

By Byamukama Alozious

The Uganda Cancer Society has conducted training for media professionals on inclusive reporting to raise awareness and support campaigns about cancer. This initiative coincides with Uganda’s celebration of cancer survivors in June, who advocate for policies to prevent further loss of life, disability, and financial hardship caused by cancer.

The Government of Uganda, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), has formulated the Uganda National Cancer Control Plan (UNCCP). This strategic initiative aims to close care gaps, lower cancer rates and deaths, and enhance the quality of life for cancer patients.

Dr. Noleb Mugisha from UCI explained that the plan is pending adoption by the Ministry of Health’s senior management. It emphasises prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, and overall cancer healthcare.

The media engagement event united cancer patients, survivors, and media practitioners to discuss their roles in implementing the UNCCP. Survivors shared personal stories and challenges in accessing cancer care, emphasising the importance of collaborative efforts to promote the plan’s adoption and execution.

Dr. Noleb Mugisha speaking to journalists after the event.

Salimu Ssentamu, a 36-year cancer survivor, and Eunice Sebikaari, an 11-year survivor, shared their journeys. Ssentamu, diagnosed at age 5, has become an activist, while Sebikaari advocates for early diagnosis following her own breast cancer diagnosis.

The Uganda Cancer Society, a national umbrella organisation, joins survivors in calling on the government to:

  1. Expedite adoption of the UNCCP
  2. Establish a database for cancer survivors

Dr. Mugisha stressed the importance of a vegetable-rich diet in preventing cancer, while Dr. Alfred Jatho emphasised the critical role of accurate media reporting in raising awareness and guiding policy decisions.

Cancer continues to pose a major public health challenge in Uganda, with 35,968 new cases reported in 2022, resulting in 24,629 deaths. The Uganda Cancer Society calls upon civil society organisations and individuals to unite in the fight against cancer.