Editor,

RE: "Cancer Day: We need to raise more awareness” (The New Times, February 3).

Great story, good initiatives, and well done. Rwanda has come a long way and has always been keen to hold on to the values of promises to its people. It may have come a little too late, but I have no worries that you will eventually get there.

Raising awareness about cancer and cancer risks is of particular importance in the East African Community.

Literature from all around (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania) shows that our community is very diverse in their understanding of cancer and its causes.

People may be up to 90% aware of cancers such as cervical (a lot has been done around this topic) yet least knowledgeable about the role of HIV (for instance) in causing cervical cancer.

This difference in knowledge is also observed among HIV positive (assumptions would be that HIV+ awareness would have been more as a result of the excellent—so far—vertical treatment program for HIV/AIDS).

This lack of difference is an indicator of missed opportunity to discuss cancer and its risks among providers and clients.

Same is for cancer warning symptoms/signs. We have not made adequate efforts to educate our people on the tale-tale signs of cancer, and we should probably not be surprised when diagnoses are delayed.

I understand the role of culture, faith and beliefs in this, but that cannot prevent us from pushing for the "right to know” and eventual change of behavior. A recent study in Tanzania, (for instance), shows that only about 32% of people would be worried/think of cancer when they have an obviously growing lump in their body.

Yes, a lot has been done (commendable job) but more is yet to be done. Let’s join hands.

Dr. Oresto Munishi