Alexandre Manguele, a physician and former minister of health, has called for greater public awareness and improved access to early breast cancer diagnosis, stressing that timely detection is essential to improving treatment outcomes and reducing mortality. The appeal was made during a conference held as part of the Student Scientific Days at Universidade Politécnica, which took place from 26 to 30 October.
Speaking within the framework of Pink October awareness activities, Manguele — who also served as director-general of the Instituto Superior de Ciências de Saúde (ISCISA) — warned of the need to combat ignorance, fear, and the stigma associated with the disease. According to a statement from the university, these factors contribute to delayed uptake of health services, hindering diagnosis and access to appropriate treatment.
"The earlier breast cancer is detected and treatment begins, the greater the chances of recovery. When the disease is identified at an early stage, the probability of successful treatment is significantly higher," Manguele said.
He also clarified that, while breast cancer primarily affects women, men can also be diagnosed with the condition, and information on risk factors and warning signs should therefore target the entire population.
Among the main obstacles to prevention and disease control, he identified insufficient public information, limited access to specialist services, and inadequate screening and diagnostic mechanisms. In this context, he advocated for strengthened health education, professional training, and the creation of conditions that would allow suspected cases to be rapidly referred for assessment and treatment.
Manguele further underscored the need to align awareness campaigns with the response capacity of health services, so that early identification of the disease is matched by timely access to the necessary care.
On the academic front, he highlighted the role of higher education institutions in scientific research and knowledge production capable of contributing to solutions for public health challenges.
Universidade Politécnica rector Augusto Jone Luís, for his part, called for greater participation by students and lecturers in scientific research, encouraging the publication of research outputs in the institution's academic journals.
"We place particular importance on research and want the work developed by our students and lecturers to be transformed into scientific articles and published in the university's journals," he said.
According to Augusto Jone Luís, the event also serves as an opportunity to valorise knowledge, promote the sharing of research findings, and develop the scientific competencies of students.
The initiative brought together the academic community from the university's delegations in Maputo, Nampula, Quelimane, Tete, and Nacala, as well as from the Centre for Open and Distance Education (CEAD) and the Graduate School (EPG), through a combination of in-person and virtual activities.
Under the theme "A Politécnica em Rede: Investigar, Partilhar, Transformar" (The Polytechnic Network: Research, Share, Transform), the five-day programme included debates on digital transformation, sustainability, health and wellbeing, innovation, entrepreneurship, employability, ethics, and corporate social responsibility, linking these areas to the challenges facing contemporary society.
Among the highlights was a conference led by first-aid technician Simão Magaia on the use of a Red Cross application to support responses to stroke emergencies. The session addressed the recognition of warning signs and the procedures to follow in such medical emergencies, illustrating the contribution of digital tools to health education.
Through this initiative, Universidade Politécnica aims to strengthen the link between teaching and scientific research, foster the sharing of experience across its delegations, and encourage the production of knowledge and solutions to challenges facing Mozambican society.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=558160
