Urgent Need for Early Detection of Childhood Cancer in Uganda.
In Uganda, early detection of childhood cancer is increasingly recognised as vital for effective treatment, yet alarming statistics reveal significant gaps in diagnosis and care.
According to Dr. Barnabas Atwiine, a Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Lecturer at Mbarara University, 75% of the 1,000 children diagnosed with cancer annually are already in advanced stages.
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“Cancer presents like common childhood infectious diseases, leading to misdiagnosis or no diagnosis, with abandonment being a major cause of death,” he explained.
The financial burden of treatment further complicates the situation for many families, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive healthcare strategies.
Cultural beliefs significantly contribute to delayed healthcare-seeking behaviour, as many parents associate cancer with witchcraft. This misconception leads to hesitancy in reporting symptoms and seeking medical assistance.
Dr. Joyce Balagadde, a leading Pediatric Oncologist at the Uganda Cancer Institute, highlighted that childhood cancer represents 10% of all cancer cases in Uganda, with 3,278 new cases diagnosed each year.
She emphasised the importance of Uganda's four regional cancer centers in Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, and Mbale, which provide crucial services like chemotherapy and surgery but are increasingly overwhelmed by demand.
Efforts to improve early diagnosis are underway, with initiatives focused on education and community cancer programs. However many healthcare providers still misidentify cancer symptoms as viral or bacterial infections as noted by Dr. Mugisha Noleb from the Uganda Cancer Institute.
“Healthcare workers struggle to recognise cancer in children because its symptoms and signs are similar to those of other common non-cancer diseases,” he stated.
Enhancing awareness among healthcare professionals and the public is essential to ensure timely interventions, ultimately improving outcomes for children battling cancer in Uganda.
