Uwocaso Embarks on Building a Network of Community Breast Cancer Champions
VHTs and Local Leaders awarded certificates after the training at CHAIN offices in Kiwenda
June 10th– 13th 2026, Uganda Women’s Cancer Support Organisation (UWOCASO) in partnership with Buwaya Hope Project (BUHOP) and Community Health and Information Network (CHAIN) in collaboration with a UK- based retired surgeon Dr. Biku Ghosh held a Continuous Medical Education (CME) for Primary care workers at Wakiso Health center IV, training workshops for VHTs, religious and local leaders at BUHOP and CHAIN offices in Bakka Mende and Kiwenda respectively in Wakiso district and a TV program at TV1
Due to the increasing number of breast cancer cases in Uganda (2999 new cases and 1560 deaths Globalcan 2022) and the increasing number of breast cancer patients with advanced disease seeking support from UWOCASO, the CME, training workshops and TV program aimed at equipping participants and community with breast cancer knowledge to be able to champion breast cancer awareness, timely referrals and supportive care. The training focused on understanding breast cancer as a silent killer, risk factors, early signs, the importance of timely diagnosis, referrals and treatment. It was important for participants to learn that 90% of breast cancer starts with a painless lump that cannot be seen but can be felt through regular Breast Self-Examination (BSE) for all women of 20years and above, that 30% of breast cancer is preventable by NO alcohol, NO obesity and regular physical activity. They also learnt that 1%-4% of breast cancer occurs in men.
The training benefited sixty (60) VHTS, twenty(20) local and Religious Leaders, fifty (50) Primary Care workers and sixty (60) women at an outpatient clinic at Wakiso HCIV
The pre-training discussions revealed that 89% of participants had encountered and supported one or more breast cancer patients in their communities. Participants further reported that nearly 80% of these patients had died, suggesting that many cases were identified at advanced stages of the disease. These findings demonstrate the urgent need for community-based breast cancer awareness and justify the training of VHTs and local leaders as key actors in promoting early detection, timely referral, and improved cancer outcomes.
“I had little knowledge about breast cancer and did not know that breast cancer can also affect men.”
– Community Development Officer (CDO), Busukuma Sub- County, Wakiso District.
“We can start making referrals immediately now that we understand the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the referral process.”
– VHT Kiwenda Parish.
UWOCASO a survivor led organization is committed to work with Government structures, local and international partners to improve community-integrated models using survivors and community champions for navigation and awareness interventions to reduce breast cancer diagnostic delays, improve linkage to care and survival
Thank you Dr. Biku Ghosh for supporting this effort
