Cancer Institute in drive to prevent prostate cancer

On Monday, Movember, a global movement to create awareness on prostate cancer launched the ‘Movember campaign’ to raise funds to prevent prostate cancer. Every year, during the month of November, Movember encourages men to grow their moustaches ‘Mo’ to create awareness about prostate cancer. 

This year, Movember Uganda 2012, in partnership with the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), Rotary Uganda, Grameen Foundation and Victoria University will focus on “Early Presentation for Prostate Cancer Screening” with focus on men above 40 years who are more prone to the disease.

During this month, Movember will hold free Prostate Cancer Screenings every Wednesday at Victoria University Healthcare Centre and at Uganda Cancer Institute every Friday.

According to Dr Fred Okuku, oncologist at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), prostate cancer is now the most common cancer among men in Uganda, with age standardized incidence rates of 40 per 100,000 per annum with 4.5% increase per annum. The median age at which Ugandan men are diagnosed is 65-70 years. 

“Unfortunately, the outcome of men diagnosed with prostate cancer this late in Uganda is poor, only 50% will be alive 5 years after diagnosis compared to 97% in the USA,” Okuku said. 

Early prostate cancer has no symptoms, the reason Okuku advises men above 40 years to have early tests for early detection and prevention. However, men with advanced prostate cancer may have blood in urine or semen, bone and back pains, difficulty in passing urine, frequent bladder infection and dribbling of urine.

The risk factors include age (40 and above), obesity, lack of exercise and family inheritance. 

“The funds raised from this campaign will facilitate prostate cancer screening parades countrywide in 2013, implemented by the Rotary club,” Stephen Mwanje, the Rotary Uganda Chairperson for the Uganda Cancer Programme said.

Last year, Movember 2011 raised Shs 27m to facilitate prostate cancer research. 

ninsiima@observer.ug