Breast cancer survivors in Uganda fight stigma

Survivors of breast cancer under their umbrella organisation, the Uganda Women’s Cancer Support Organisation (UWOCASO), have called on government to intervene and ensure continued supply of artificial breasts which many of them require after treatment.

The over 200 breast cancer survivors were meeting during their annual general meeting held in Kampala.

Glad that they had been cured of breast cancer, many of them however could not deal with the stigma meted unto them even after they are cured of the life threatening illness.

A number of female breast cancer patients undergo mastectomy, a surgical procedure that involves removal of one or both breasts as a way of either treating or preventing the cancer.

Okello Florence Okai a cancer survivor for over 10 years revealed that living without a breast was painful yet many of the survivors can not get artificial breasts

Okai said it was good that they had received a donation of artificial breasts from Australia but it has not yet been shipped into the country.

An imported artificial breast and bra costs between Shs 1 Million and Shs 1.5 million, a fee which is
quite high for ordinary Ugandans.

UWOCASO plans to make these artificial breasts locally.

Breast cancer is the second commonest type of cancer among women in Uganda after cervical cancer.

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