Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1433 EAT on Friday 28 November 2025

The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has issued an urgent warning about a steep rise in prostate cancer cases, which has now become the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the country and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

Speaking during a briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, Dr. Fred Okuku, a consultant oncologist at UCI, described the surge as an escalating public-health crisis driven by late diagnosis, widespread misinformation, and persistent stigma.

“Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosis among men and a major contributor to cancer fatalities nationwide,” he said.

Dr. Okuku cautioned that the majority of patients seek medical attention only after the disease has advanced, when treatment options are limited and survival chances decline sharply. He attributed this dangerous trend to low awareness, fear of screening, and entrenched myths surrounding men’s health—factors that continue to hinder early detection across the country.

Yet experts note that prostate cancer is also one of the most preventable and highly treatable cancers—when detected early. A simple, low-cost blood test, known as the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, together with a clinical examination, can identify abnormalities long before symptoms appear.

Dr. Okuku is urging all men aged 45 and above to undergo annual screening.

“For those with a family history of cancer, screening should start even earlier,” he advised.

UCI’s clinical data shows that men aged 45 and above are at the highest risk of developing prostate cancer, with the danger increasing even further among those with a family history of prostate, breast, or related cancers.

Despite this, many men still delay seeking medical attention until severe symptoms appear—such as difficulty urinating, blood in the urine or semen, or persistent pain in the pelvic region or lower back—by which stage treatment becomes more complicated, costly, and less effective. Other early warning signs include frequent or sudden urges to urinate, straining, and a weak or interrupted urine flow.

Across UCI’s regional centres, prostate cancer continues to dominate cancer statistics among men. At the Mbarara regional facility, it is the leading adult cancer, accounting for 18 percent of all new cases.

At UCI’s Kampala centre, prostate cancer ranks third, accounting for 11 percent of new cases, while in Gulu it represents 13 percent of all diagnoses. According to UCI’s latest national estimates, prostate cancer now makes up roughly 30 percent of all male cancer cases in 2025—cementing its position as the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths nationwide.

Dr. Okuku emphasized the need to dispel widespread misconceptions that mislead men about their health. Contrary to popular belief, he said, “Factors such as having multiple sexual partners, being a bachelor, or being obese are not scientifically linked to prostate cancer.”

He explained that the true risk factors include advancing age—most commonly between 60 and 70 in Uganda—family history of cancer, lack of exercise, and erectile dysfunction. Recognizing these risks, he added, is vital for prevention and early intervention.

Globally, prostate cancer boasts one of the highest survival rates among malignant cancers, largely due to the widespread adoption of PSA testing in the late 1990s. Early detection enables doctors to treat the disease before it spreads.

However, Dr. Okuku also cautioned that PSA screening can sometimes lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment, highlighting the importance of open and informed discussions between patients and healthcare professionals.

Uganda recorded approximately 35,968 new cancer cases and 24,629 cancer-related deaths in 2022, according to the World Health Organization, reported The Observer.

The risk of developing cancer before the age of 75 stands at nearly 16 percent. With prostate cancer accounting for a significant share of male cases, the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) says public education and regular screening must become national priorities.

The Institute is calling on families, communities, and health workers to help men overcome misinformation, stigma, and fear.

“We encourage all men to educate themselves, embrace screening, and act early. This will reduce the impact of prostate cancer on our communities and improve survival,” Dr. Fred Okuku said.

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