Health 14 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda's Shifting Cancer Landscape: Lifestyle Diseases on the Rise, Infection-Related Cancers Decline
Ugandan medical experts are observing a significant shift in cancer trends, with a notable decrease in infection-related cancers like Kaposi Sarcoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, while cancers associated with modern lifestyles such as breast, prostate, and oesophageal cancers are increasing. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/rising-and-declining-cancers-in-uganda-what-to-watch-out-for-5460060
Cancer specialists in Uganda have noted a changing pattern in cancer diagnoses, signaling a transition from cancers linked to infections to those driven by modern lifestyles and dietary habits.
Dr. Deo Ssenkumba, a cancer specialist at Aga Khan University Hospital, explained that the decline in HIV rates has led to a corresponding decrease in Kaposi Sarcoma (skin cancer) and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. These cancers are often associated with weakened immune systems, particularly in individuals living with HIV.
“The landscape is shifting. Just like in the general clinics, we are having communicable diseases going down, while non-communicable diseases like cancer are going up,” Dr. Ssenkumba stated. According to the Uganda AIDS Commission, HIV prevalence has dropped from 7.2 percent in 2010 to 5.1 percent in 2023, with over 94 percent of people living with HIV on effective treatment.
Projections published in the BMJ medical journal by researchers from the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) and South Korea support these observations. The study predicts a substantial decrease in Kaposi Sarcoma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma cases by 2030. While cervical cancer rates have shown a slight decline, they are still projected to increase significantly by 2030 due to population growth, highlighting the need for enhanced prevention and screening strategies.
Conversely, cancers such as prostate, breast, and oesophageal cancers are on the rise. Dr. Ssenkumba attributed this to an aging population, increased obesity rates, and lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption, smoking, and poor diets. Research indicates that over 80 percent of breast cancer patients in Uganda present with advanced disease, underscoring the critical need for early detection programs.
Oesophageal cancer has become the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Uganda, following cervical cancer. Experts link its rise to excessive alcohol and tobacco use, consumption of hot beverages, and diets low in fruits and vegetables.
Efforts are underway to improve access to screening and treatment, with services available at the Uganda Cancer Institute, regional centers, and Mulago Hospital. Some private facilities are also offering affordable screening and treatment options.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)