The Executive Director for Busesa Community Development Organization Dr. Lubega Richard has successfully represented the greater Kibaale (Kagadi, Kibaale, and Kakumiro) in the 2nd Africa Test & Treat Initiative Conference Against Cancer and Other NCDS.
The conference took place from 1st to 2nd February 2024 at the Imperial Royal Hotel, Kampala-Uganda. It was organized by the Ministry of Health and partners. The Ministry of Health convened key stakeholders including policy makers for the 2nd Africa Test and Treat Initiative Conference Against Cancer and other NCDs. The conference was aimed at enhancing awareness of early detection and diagnosis for quality prevention and control.
In her opening remarks, Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng indicated that the Government has plans to make prostate cancer screening mandatory for all males aged 45 years and above. This is against the background that Prostate Cancer is the leading cancer among males in Uganda.
A recent study conducted on infection-related and cancer burden in Kampala: Projection of the future cancer incidence up to 2030 predicted that cervical cancer incidence was projected to increase by 35.3%, breast cancer by 57.7% and prostate cancer by 33.4% respectively.
The Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) of cervical and breast and breast were projected to increase up to 66.1 and 48.4 per 100,000 women. The ASR of prostate cancer was estimated to increase from 41.6 to 60.5 per 100,000 men. These changes were due to changes in risk factors and population growth.
What were the conference objectives?
- Strengthening primary and secondary prevention through enhancing extensive cancer and other NCDs awareness and screening/testing.
- To strengthen practical improvement of cancer and NCDs screening and diagnostic services and closing the laboratory –Clinician interface.
- To build strong collaborations for data management and utilization in research and surveillance at all levels for best practices and sustainability.
- To realize affordable & accessible pre-cancer, cancer treatment, and Palliative Care services.
- To strengthen the Integration of the cancer program and other NCDs in other Disease programs.
What were the expected outcomes of the conference?
- Africa Commitment to Test and Treat Initiative against Cancer and other NCDs: The official Commitment of African leaders, public and decision-makers, influencers, private sector, foundations, organizations and networks are galvanized to invest and voice their support towards the global movement for Early Cancer and other NCDs Detection (Awareness, screening and Testing), diagnosis and immediate linkage to prevention and Control interventions.
- Close the Care Gap: The partnership will contribute to delivering commitment and creating synergies across countries, governments and partners to support the fight to eliminate cancer and other NCDs from Africa.
- Strong Collaborations across governments, institutions and partners for improved quality in data management for cancer and other NCDs surveillance, research and other interventions.
- Realization of quality avenues for affordable & accessible cancer and other NCDs detection, diagnosis, treatment and Palliative Care services.
Why The Africa Test & Treat Initiative Conference against Cancer and Other NCDs?
- Many cancers can be prevented and cured if detected early
- Coupled with the rapidly increasing costs for cancer treatment, the cancer epidemic poses a threat to global welfare advancement.
- This has called for dev’t of effective cancer prevention and control strategies for the major societal challenge through Early detection
- This Conference will hence convey the urgency & collaboration needed in the move of uniting our voices and take action to create a cancer-free world
- Through promoting the Test and Treat Strategy to enhance early detection and diagnosis for successful treatment as in cervical cancer currently as per WHO guideline 2021
The theme of the 2nd Test and Treat Cancer was “Together we challenge those in power to close the care gap for NCDs,” which highlights the importance of good individual lifestyle decisions for a healthy life.
On Thursday, February 1, 2024, the World Health Organisation’s Cancer Agency released a statement warning the world that the number of new cancer cases will rise to more than 35 million in 2050 (77%) higher than the figure in 2022.
According to Ministry of Health reports, in Uganda, the incidence of prostate cancer is increasing at a rate of 5.2% annually.
