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Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Isanga Rukia Nakadama called on Ugandans to reject the myth that cervical and breast cancers primarily affect low-income individuals, highlighting the need for HPV vaccinations, screenings, and timely treatment. Speaking at the 6th Fight Women’s Cancer Run, she stressed that cervical and breast cancers are leading causes of women’s deaths in Uganda, advocating for expanded access to care for rural women.

Third Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Isanga Rukia Nakadama, has urged Ugandans to move away from the misconception that cervical and breast cancers only affect low-income populations.

“Cervical cancer is a preventable disease through HPV vaccination, routine screening, and timely treatment. In higher-income countries, cervical cancer has become a rare, almost forgotten condition. However, in Uganda, it is still often perceived as a disease that primarily impacts the poor,” Hon. Nakadama stated.

She emphasized that these two diseases are the leading causes of death among women in Uganda, calling on everyone to take immediate action through regular screenings and to seek treatment upon diagnosis. According to Hon. Nakadama, cervical cancer accounts for 22% of all cancer-related deaths and 35% of all new cancer cases in Uganda. Breast cancer, the second deadliest cancer affecting women, represents 20% of all cases, as reported by the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI).

Hon. Nakadama attributed part of this burden to the low uptake of the HPV vaccination, which was introduced in 2015 to combat related illnesses. Speaking on October 26, 2024, at the 6th Fight Women’s Cancer Run organized by Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja, held at Gold Club Jinja under the theme “Detect, Treat, and Defect Cervical and Breast Cancers,” she urged for greater awareness and support.

Despite the government’s efforts and collaboration with development partners to provide essential medicine and treatment, Hon. Nakadama noted that access remains challenging, particularly for poor rural women who struggle to reach the Uganda Cancer Institute. She pointed out that the five-year survival rate for breast cancer in Uganda is 50%, in contrast to 90% in high-income countries, a disparity largely due to women seeking medical care too late, or not at all.

“These statistics are more than mere numbers; they reflect the lives of mothers, daughters, and sisters enduring the battle silently. Many of us have known women who have lost their lives to breast or cervical cancer, and this is why we must unite to alleviate their suffering,” she added.

Highlighting Uganda’s success in eradicating other diseases, Hon. Nakadama expressed optimism that similar efforts could yield results in combating cancer. Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja currently registers a new breast or cervical cancer case daily, a significant concern shared by its Executive Director, Sylvia Nakami, who reported that 61% of their patients have tested positive for either breast or cervical cancer.

Nakami outlined a bold target, advocating for all girls to be screened and immunized against HPV by age nine, with a goal to eliminate cervical cancer within the next two decades.

Rev. James Kivunike, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja, explained that their services extend across 12 districts in the Busoga region and parts of central Uganda. However, he acknowledged that a major challenge is the lack of transportation for patients in rural areas, who often struggle to reach the facility.

“We humbly request government support for an ambulance to facilitate patient transportation from remote areas to our facilities,” Rev. Kivunike appealed.

The World Health Organization launched a global strategy in November 2020 to eliminate cervical cancer, targeting 90% HPV vaccination coverage for girls by age 15, 70% screening for women by age 35 and again at 45, and treatment for 90% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer by 2030.