I WAS reflecting on my 20th breast cancer survival anniversary and came across this graphic (on South Africa).  Looking at what has been achieved in the fight against breast cancer since 1994, there is a big divide between high and low income countries yet no one can deny that all cancers are becoming a major and growing public health problem especially in low income communities.

A study of the global economic burden by the American Society of Cancer suggested that $895 billion is lost each year as a result of premature death and morbidity caused by cancer (report available at: www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@internationalaffairs/documents/document/acspc-026203.pdf).

By 2020 the World Health Organisation predicts that there will be 16 million new cases of cancer every year, 70% of which will be in developing countries.

Overall, the developing world will suffer the heaviest burden of 8.8 million cases of cancer, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for more than 1 million cases. Cancer is already a real and relevant problem in Africa and yet it threatens to become a pandemic of unstoppable proportions within the next decade if we do not act now.

Breast cancer status has improved since 1994 in high income countries. Stigma and myths about breast cancer have been debunked; scientific discoveries have brought great improvement in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment; earlier and accurate diagnosis; attention to quality of life are enabling many breast cancer patients to live longer and productive lives.

The situation in low-income countries: lack of knowledge, poverty, stigma, fear, myths; inhibit women from talking about breast cancer. As a result, many women with breast cancer in low income communities only seek medical assistance when the disease is at advanced stages and or has spread to other parts of the body.

These women’s fate is compounded by the fact that access to adequate life saving information, early detection, screening and diagnosis services are lacking and treatment options are limited and costly. Breast Cancer requires urgent attention and reducing avoidable premature deaths from breast cancer must take priority in East Africa. 

Many women, men and families are being affected by cancer and a mass commitment is imperative to address the burden of cancer.

We cannot afford to sit and do nothing about the situation and let the predictions become realities.

All of us must play our roles, be proactive; use what we know and have to address the burden of cancer.

Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa Inc.(BCIEA Inc) strives to promote awareness and education; debunking stigma, fear and myths thus empowering women to take charge of their lives. 

We disseminate breast health and wellness information, counsel and support breast cancer patients and survivors. We cultivate an environment in which women practice early detection and no longer present their disease at late stages. 

We know that a third of cancers are preventable, a third is treatable, good diet, physical activity, refraining from smoking and limited alcohol intake reduce breast cancer risk.  In absence of mammography screening, which by the way is too costly for poor countries, Breast Self Exam and Clinical Breast Exam have been successfully implemented and could be expanded.

We are raising our voices to all stakeholders and policy makers to partner and support us in educating the public. Evidence tells us that awareness and knowledge naturally goes hand in hand with access to sustainable and efficient diagnosis, treatment options, support and palliative care. 

Consequently, East African governments are challenged to provide appropriate and effective treatment facilities and resources to treat breast cancer patients regardless of geography or circumstances. In 1986 my sister died from liver metastatic breast cancer though she had been flown to a London hospital for treatment, she lived in Africa. 

In 1994 when I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, I lived in USA and survived. Would my sister be alive if she lived in the USA? This question is the catalyst that led to the foundation of Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa Inc.

If we all uphold that Good Health is a human Right; should where one lives determine if one lives or dies today in the 21st Century?

We have work to do and together we can make a difference.

KWISUZUMISHA KARE NIKO KWIRINDA NYABYO.

Philippa Kibugu-Decuir, Breast Cancer Survivor,Founder, Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa Inc.