Uganda Cancer Institute cautions public on self-test kits

Overview:

“This is an area that is one, is developing but two, is also under research,” Mwesige said. He compared the kits to self-test kits for malaria, which often require a confirmatory test due to variations in results.

The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has urged Ugandans to exercise caution with self-test cancer kits, emphasizing that while they show promise, they should not replace proper medical screening.

The warning comes ahead of an upcoming Conference on Cancer and Palliative Care, where researchers are expected to showcase new innovations, including self-test kits. Benjamin Mwesige, who heads research at the UCI, highlighted a home-testing kit for cervical cancer but stressed the need for a cautious approach.

“This is an area that is one, is developing but two, is also under research,” Mwesige said.

He compared the kits to self-test kits for malaria, which often require a confirmatory test due to variations in results. Mwesige stated that cancer is not a single disease and requires a comprehensive assessment for a proper diagnosis, something a simple test kit cannot provide.

In Uganda, researchers at Makerere University are developing a kit that uses urine to test for both cervical and prostate cancer, which are two of the most prevalent cancers in the country.

Such innovations are welcomed by the UCI, but Mwesige insisted that individuals who use them should still seek physical screening for a confirmed diagnosis. The upcoming conference, scheduled for September 10-12 and themed “Embracing Uniqueness and Empowering Communities,” is the fifth of its kind.

According to Dr Jackson Orem, the executive director of UCI, the conference will provide a platform for sharing knowledge on these and other innovations to improve cancer care.

Mark Mwesiga, executive director of the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU), a co-organizer of the event, said the conference will also focus on issues surrounding caregivers and survivorship.