By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1554 EAT on Sunday 17 August 2025

The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has advised the public to exercise caution when using self-test cancer kits, warning that while such tools show promise, they should not replace professional medical screening.

The caution comes ahead of the upcoming Conference on Cancer and Palliative Care, where researchers are expected to unveil new innovations, including self-testing kits for various cancers.

Benjamin Mwesige, Head of Research at UCI, highlighted a home-testing kit currently being developed for cervical cancer. However, he emphasized the importance of a measured approach to such technologies.

“This is a developing area, and it is still under active research,” Mwesige said. “We welcome innovation, but we urge the public to use these kits as complementary tools—not as substitutes for proper diagnosis by qualified health professionals.”

The UCI’s guidance underscores the importance of integrating self-testing with established medical systems to ensure safe and effective cancer detection and care.

Mwesige compared the cancer self-test kits to malaria self-diagnostic tools, which often require follow-up testing due to inconsistent results. He emphasized that cancer is not a single disease and that accurate diagnosis requires a thorough and comprehensive medical evaluation—something a simple home test cannot provide.

In Uganda, researchers at Makerere University are developing a urine-based test kit designed to detect both cervical and prostate cancer—two of the most common cancers affecting Ugandans. While the Uganda Cancer Institute welcomes such innovations, Mwesige stressed that individuals using these kits should still undergo clinical screening to confirm any diagnosis.

These discussions will take center stage at the upcoming Uganda Conference on Cancer and Palliative Care, scheduled for September 10–12. The event, now in its fifth edition, will be held under the theme “Embracing Uniqueness and Empowering Communities.”

According to Dr. Jackson Orem, Executive Director of the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), the upcoming conference will serve as a key platform for sharing knowledge and showcasing innovations aimed at improving cancer care in Uganda and beyond.

Mark Mwesiga, Executive Director of the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU),

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