Ugandans have been urged not to wait for breast pain before seeking medical attention, as health experts warn that breast cancer can develop without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, when treatment is often more effective.
Dr James Kafeero, Assistant Head of the Department of Community Cancer Services at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), said many patients seek medical help only after a breast lump becomes painful, yet pain may be absent in the early stages of the disease.
“People should not wait until a breast lump becomes painful before seeking medical attention,” Dr Kafeero said.
He noted that some patients live with unusual breast lumps for months or even years before visiting a health facility, allowing the disease to progress and making treatment more difficult.
According to Dr Kafeero, about 75 per cent of cancer patients in Uganda and sub-Saharan Africa present at health facilities when the disease has already advanced beyond the organ where it originated.
He warned that late diagnosis can result in more extensive treatment, higher medical costs and lower chances of successful treatment.
The warning comes amid a rise in cancer cases recorded at UCI. The institute registered 8,764 new cancer patients in 2025, compared with 7,945 in 2024, while breast cancer cases increased by 18 per cent over the same period.
Dr Kafeero urged both women and men to pay attention to changes in their breasts, including unusual lumps, changes in breast shape or appearance, abnormal nipple discharge and swelling around the armpit.
He encouraged women who menstruate to examine their breasts five to 10 days after the start of their menstrual period, when menstruation-related tenderness and swelling have generally subsided. Women who have reached menopause can choose a specific day each month to check their breasts.
“Early detection improves treatment outcomes and can reduce the extent of treatment required,” Dr Kafeero said.
He explained that treatment depends on the type and stage of breast cancer, adding that a diagnosis does not automatically mean a patient must have the entire breast removed.
Patients diagnosed at an early stage may qualify for breast-conserving surgery, in which doctors remove the cancerous lump along with some surrounding tissue while preserving the rest of the breast.
However, patients diagnosed with advanced disease may require more extensive treatment, including mastectomy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, depending on their condition.
Dr Kafeero also urged Ugandans not to let fear of cancer investigations delay diagnosis. He said suspicious breast changes can be assessed by health workers, with further investigations, including a biopsy, used to determine whether abnormal cells are cancerous.
He further encouraged people to understand their personal and family cancer histories, noting that genetic factors can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
The Uganda Cancer Institute is also experiencing a growing patient workload, having recorded about 67,000 patient visits in 2025, including visits by newly diagnosed patients and those returning for continued treatment.
Dr Kafeero called for greater public awareness and urged people to seek medical attention whenever they notice unusual breast changes rather than waiting for pain or other severe symptoms to develop.
“Early diagnosis and timely treatment can make a critical difference,” he said.
