Cancer is a significant public health concern in Uganda, with a growing burden on the population.

In fact;

• The overall age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) for all cancers combined is 109.9 per 100,000 in males and 91.9 per 100,000 in females.
• This means approximately 1 in 8 males and 1 in 10 females in Uganda will develop cancer before the age of 75.
• The incidence of cancer is gradually increasing in both sexes, with a 25% increase observed between 2011-2015 compared to 1991-1995.
• The top three cancers in women – breast, colorectal and lung cancers – contributed 44.5% of all cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer).
• Cervical cancer was the fourth most common cancer in women, contributing 6.9% of the total number of new cases diagnosed in 2020. Cervical cancer is a preventable disease. Yet it is the most common cause of cancer in the African Region where it accounts for 22% of all female cancers and 12% of all newly diagnosed cancer in both men and women every year.

So what are the Most common cancers?

• In men and some in women

Prostate cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, and liver cancer.

Let’s look closely at each of these,

Prostate cancer,

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. It occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid in men. The exact cause of prostate cancer is unclear, but certain risk factors have been identified.

These include older age, family history of prostate cancer, and race (it is more common in people of African descent).

Certain lifestyle factors may also play a role in prostate cancer risk. For example, a diet high in red meat or high-fat dairy products and low in fruits and vegetables may contribute to an increased risk. Physical inactivity and obesity have also been linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer