Uganda Records 40 Male Breast Cancer Cases, Urging Early Testing for Men. Image Credit: Lynsey Addario of The New York Times
(The Post News)- Health experts in Uganda are raising serious concerns over the increasing number of breast cancer cases among men, especially those over the age of 40. Medical professionals at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) have urged greater awareness and early testing for men, as late diagnosis often leads to poor outcomes.
Speaking at a community health camp, Ms. Martha Nantayi, a medical officer at UCI, emphasized that breast cancer affects both men and women, urging the public to remain vigilant. “Men are at higher risk because they rarely visit clinics for breast cancer screening,” said Nantayi. She noted that many men are unaware that they can develop breast cancer, resulting in late diagnosis and lower survival rates.
Recent data from the Uganda Cancer Institute shows that 1 in every 100 breast cancer cases in the country occurs in men. In contrast, women have higher survival rates due to earlier detection, with over 2,400 new cases annually, and 15% of those women are diagnosed early.
David Allan Twinomujuni, Club President and event speaker, stressed the importance of early testing to avoid the high costs associated with late-stage cancer treatment. He warned that delayed diagnosis often forces patients to sell personal property to cover medical expenses.
Ugandan health professionals are now calling for increased community outreach and education to raise awareness about male breast cancer and encourage early screening. Experts emphasize that addressing this growing public health issue is crucial to reducing cancer mortality rates in Uganda.
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