Publications

Cancer has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda, particularly due to late-stage diagnoses, limited access to screening, and the high cost of treatment. Community Health Workers (CHWs) have emerged as key players in addressing these challenges, especially in rural and underserved areas. This review evaluates the role of CHWs in raising cancer awareness, promoting early detection, and reducing stigma. CHWs leverage their deep community ties and cultural competence to deliver cancer education and encourage health-seeking behaviors, such as participation in screening programs for cervical and breast cancer. Despite their significant contributions, CHWs face several obstacles, including insufficient training, lack of resources, and cultural stigma surrounding cancer. This review explores the effectiveness of CHWs in cancer awareness campaigns, identifies the challenges they encounter, and proposes strategies to strengthen their role, such as targeted training, resource allocation, and integration into national cancer control strategies. The findings underscore the potential of CHWs in transforming cancer prevention efforts in Uganda, offering valuable insights for similar low-resource settings.