The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has called on men to prioritise prostate cancer screening and seek early medical attention as the country marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month throughout November, amid concerns that many patients are diagnosed when the disease has already advanced.
The awareness campaign is aimed at educating men about the dangers of prostate cancer, encouraging early detection and addressing stigma and misconceptions that prevent many from seeking medical attention.
Speaking during a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Wednesday, Dr Alfred Jatho, Head of Community Cancer Awareness at the Uganda Cancer Institute, said health authorities and cancer advocacy partners were mobilising men, policymakers and frontline health workers to strengthen the fight against prostate cancer, which remains one of the leading cancers affecting men in Uganda.
According to cancer statistics cited by the institute, Uganda records an estimated 2,537 new prostate cancer cases annually, making it a major public health concern.
Dr Jatho warned that although prostate cancer can be effectively treated, particularly when detected early, approximately 80 per cent of Ugandan patients reach specialised health facilities when the disease is already at advanced stages III or IV.
He attributed the late diagnosis to low uptake of screening services, stigma, limited awareness and inadequate diagnostic capacity, particularly in rural communities.
He encouraged men aged 40 and above to begin conversations with healthcare providers about their prostate health, especially those with a family history of prostate or breast cancer, who may face an increased risk and should consider earlier assessment.
Dr Jatho cautioned men against waiting for symptoms such as difficulty urinating, blood in urine and persistent lower back pain before seeking medical attention, explaining that these could indicate advanced disease.
“Men should not wait for symptoms such as difficulty in urinating, blood in urine and lower back pain, which may indicate that the disease has progressed. Get a simple blood test, break the silence and dispel the myths,” he said.
He also urged families, including spouses and children, to encourage men to undergo regular health checks rather than allowing fear and embarrassment to prevent them from seeking medical assistance.
In addition to screening, Dr Jatho advised men to maintain healthy lifestyles by eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and maintaining a healthy body weight, noting that obesity has been associated with an increased risk of developing more aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
The Uganda Cancer Institute also used the briefing to outline efforts aimed at bringing cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment services closer to communities, particularly those in rural areas.
Dr Jatho said the institute was engaging government and policymakers to strengthen cancer service delivery through the establishment and operationalisation of regional cancer centres in Gulu, Mbarara, Mbale and Arua.
The proposed expansion is intended to reduce the distance patients travel to access specialised cancer services and ease pressure on the national referral facilities.
The institute is also advocating for the equipping of health facilities with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and biopsy services to improve early detection and diagnosis.
Other priorities include expanding access to screening services across the country and investing in the training and recruitment of more oncology health workers to address the shortage of specialised personnel.
According to the Global Cancer Observatory’s Uganda Fact Sheet, prostate cancer accounts for approximately 1,544 deaths annually in the country, underscoring the need for stronger prevention, early diagnosis and access to treatment.
The November awareness campaign is expected to encourage men to overcome stigma, seek timely medical advice and make prostate health a priority as health authorities intensify efforts to reduce the burden of cancer in Uganda.
