Colorectal cancer research priorities in Uganda: perspectives from local key experts and stakeholders

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in Uganda but there is limited local research to guide policy and programming for CRC prevention and control. A stakeholder engagement workshop took place in Kampala on 19 March 2024 to identify challenges and opportunities for CRC prevention and control in Uganda. A total of 30 stakeholders with expertise in CRC primary and secondary prevention, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care as well as cancer survivors participated in the workshop. Key challenges for primary prevention included low knowledge/awareness of CRC among the general population and health workers, and rising prevalence of CRC related risk factors. Limited CRC screening, diagnostic facilities and specialists were identified as barriers to diagnosis. Treatment related challenges included limited accessibility to surgical services and drugs, late-stage presentation leading to poor treatment response, treatment abandonment and drug related toxicity. Lack of universal health coverage policies, limited community-based cancer awareness programs, and lack of national cancer registries were cited as policy and economics challenges. Opportunities to address these challenges were discussed. Our findings highlight areas for further research and prioritization to address Uganda's growing CRC burden and may be applicable to other low-resource settings.