ARUSHA, April 13 -- MISCONCEPTIONS and harmful traditional beliefs remain a major barrier preventing cancer patients from seeking timely medical care, resulting in many starting treatments when their conditions have significantly worsened.

Dr Sarah Maongezi said this recently during the launch of a Cancer Care Centre and the introduction of chemotherapy services at Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital, funded by Spanish Tiles.

Dr Maongezi, East Africa Cancer Project Manager from Aga Khan Hospital, said some patients delay hospital visits due to misguided beliefs, including reliance on traditional healers instead of seeking early medical intervention.

She noted that the Aga Khan institution has donated medical equipment worth 58m/- inc...