Ruth Namubiru, the programs officer at ERIC Cancer Initiative, a local non-governmental organization in Uganda, has announced that the organization, along with its partners, will be hosting its inaugural breast cancer run. The event aims to raise awareness and gather over UGX 400 million to purchase a mobile cancer screening van.
Namubiru made these remarks at the Kampala Serena Conference Centre while addressing members of the media and partners on September 19, 2023.
“We will on October 20, 2024, host our first Breast Cancer Run aimed at raising funds for breast cancer awareness. The run will be held at Nakasero Primary School and starts at 6:30 am for 10 km and 7:00 am for 5 km, and a kit goes for only UGX 30,000,” Namubiru said.
Dennis Olodi, the Executive Director at Uganda Cancer Society emphasized the importance of early detection in breast cancer treatment and called upon all females above 30 years to always test at least once a year.
“Breast cancer accounts for approximately 23% of all female cancers in Uganda, with the number of cases steadily increasing over the years. However, survival rates improve dramatically when cancer is detected early. Studies show that the five-year survival rate for women whose breast cancer is detected at an early stage can be as high as 90%,” Olodi said.
Olodi also asked the government to increase funding for health so that services can reach people.
“According to the World Health Organization standards, a country is supposed to dedicate 11% of its national budget to health but in Uganda, only 4.1 percent of the budget was allocated to health and the Uganda cancer institute had only 16 bn Uganda shillings,” Olodi added.
Olodi further said that 50% of confirmed breast cancer cases are healed where as we lose the remaining 50% of Ugandans who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Uganda had 2600 breast cancer cases by 2022 according to the latest world health organization (WHO) data and Breast cancer alone contributes to 23 % of cancer cases in Uganda.
Many Ugandans who have tested for cancer only realize they have cancer when it is in its late stages and research has shown that early cancer screening can save lives once cancer is detected early.
Nassera Farida from Keka Rehab one of the NGOs partnering with Eric Cancer Foundation to organize the breast cancer run says that early breast cancer screening saved her life otherwise she would be in history now.
“I went to Mulago Hospital for a scan and they found a lump in my breast and they helped me because it was an early detection. Hadn’t I gone early maybe it would have been a different story, Nassera said.
The Breast cancer run is organized by Eric Cancer Initiative in partnership with Nation Media group, Her Working Women, NWSC, Office of the First Lady, Uganda Cancer Society, Keka rehab services, Victoria Hospital, Girls for Girls Uganda, Serena conference center Kampala and Nakasero primary school.
The run will be the first of its kind for breast cancer awareness and the organizers hope it will be happening every year to raise more awareness and funds for breast cancer.