Breast cancer guidelines for Uganda (2nd Edition 2007)

Abstract

Breast cancer in Uganda is the third commonest cancer in women coming only next to cancer of the cervix and Kaposi’s sarcoma. The incidence of breast cancer in Uganda has doubled from11: 100,000 in 1961 to 22:100,000 in 19951,2,. Many patients are often seen in late stages thus the outcome of treatment is mostly unsatisfactory. The present day knowledge of this disease does not have any effective primary prevention. It is thus imperative that efforts should be made to detect the disease in its early stages. Mammography has been found to be useful but it is not feasible for mass screening in Uganda, as there is a limited number of units accessible to the general public. Public education towards Breast Self Examination (BSE) should be propagated because it is practical and affordable