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By Nelly Otto
Jinja
The general community and media fraternity in Jinja is abuzz with suspense following the debunking of a widely-held practice of breast sucking by men under the guise that it detects and treats breast cancer.
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This practice which gained traction about 10 or so years ago, is reportedly very popular among many Ugandan men young and middle aged bonkers and has raised concerns about men and breastfeeding infants competing for breasts, with some men attributing miraculous medicinal benefits to it.
Most men reportedly refer to the sucking as ‘appetizer’ or ‘starter’ which is technically a small dish served to guests before the main course purposely to stimulate the appetite.
Amidst complaints, these men have always gone ahead to defend their weird practices as healthy because they help in detecting and act as therapy treating breast cancer.
But this has been dismissed by Dr. Alfred Jatho the Head of Community Services at the Uganda Cancer Institute who says the myth that sucking women’s breasts during foreplay before bonking has nothing to do with cancer.
“…whatever a man does with the breasts of his partner is nothing beyond pleasurable fun for sexual enjoyment…,” he said, amidst gasps from some health workers including doctors from the Jinja Regional Referral Hospital in attendance.
Dr. Jatho made the remarks on Monday 6th October, 2025 at the launch of the 2025 Cancer Month in Jinja, courtesy of Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja where he emphasized that breastfeeding is the only activity linked to breast health benefits, particularly for mothers and babies.
He asserts that there is no scientific basis for the claim that breast sucking by men detects or treats breast cancer instead saying the benefits are linked to breastfeeding, not sexual activities.
The remarks left some of the male guests in the tent very uncomfortable, a sign the message had hit them hardest as it appeared they were real victims of the habit.
The practice of breast sucking, popularly referred to as an ‘appetizer’ or ‘starter’ among some Ugandan men, has been dismissed as having no scientific basis.
Dr. Jatho urged men to abandon this harmful habit and instead adopt healthy practices that promote the well-being of their spouses and families.
Reports indicate that many men abandon their wives after a cervical or breast cancer diagnosis, often seeking new partners, whereas women tend to stand by their partners when they develop prostate cancer.
Hence, health experts are now intensifying efforts to engage men in the fight against cancer, recognizing that the disease affects the very foundation of society: the family.
“…I urge men to be supportive and caring towards their partners, especially during health challenges…,” Dr. Jatho appealed.
The very well-educated and knowledgeable oncology scientist also urged men to move away from the so called oral-sex saying this can be dangerous and risky avenue of deadly virus transmitted between the two parties involved.
With apparent reference to President Yoweri Museveni’s counsel that men should know the ‘address’ of sex, Dr Alfred Jatho says the practice can enable the spouses contract infections including oral cancer also known as cancer of the mouth which is a type of head and neck cancer that affects the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, floor of the mouth, oropharynx and other parts of the oral cavity.
Reports indicate that many men abandon their wives after a cervical or breast cancer diagnosis, often seeking new partners, whereas women tend to stand by their partners when they develop prostate cancer.
Hence, health experts are now intensifying efforts to engage men in the fight against cancer, recognizing that the disease affects the very foundation of society: the family.
The organizers are urging members of the public to participate in the Cancer Run and support the fight against cancer. They also stress the importance of knowing the risks and symptoms of cancer and seeking medical attention early.
Experts say treating cancer in its advanced stages is not only challenging but also economically draining.
Advanced cancer treatment is often expensive and the outcomes are generally poor. Moreover, the substantial amount of resources invested in treatment yield no socio-economic returns as patients often succumb to the disease despite aggressive interventions.
The financial burden is further compounded by the fact that these resources could be directed towards preventive measures, early detection and treatment of cancer in its earlier stages potentially saving lives and reducing healthcare costs.
Health experts argue that early intervention can also enable patients to continue contributing to nation-building activities thereby maximizing the returns on investment in healthcare.
