Replacing fear with hope amongst breast cancer patients

Having lost a sister to breast cancer in 1986, Philippa Kibugu Decuir, never thought she would also be diagnosed with the disease. But in 1994 while in the US, it happened. But after going through the hardship and pain, Decuir says does not feel any other person should experience it. It is against that background that the cancer survivour initiates to replace fear with hope, not only to Rwandan women but in the region and beyond. “When I was in the US, I met women from Uganda, Kenya and some from Rwanda who came for breast cancer treatment. But immediately after, I thought of that woman in the village who may not get the chance to go to the US for treatment,” Decuir says. She explains that she decided to come back home and give her support. In 2008, Decuir founded an NGO-Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa (BCIEA), as a subsidiary of the Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI). “I started this project using part of my salary and finally collecting some funds from various sponsors to help in creating awareness for early detection of breast cancer,” she says. According to her, creating awareness about breast cancer would help women go for regular medical check-up. “The problem is that by the time people realize they have the disease, it is sometimes too late to be treated. It is therefore wise to check regularly to detect and seek treatment,” she explains. Through her initiative, in 2009, the first conference on breast cancer was held in Kigali attracting various local and regional health key players. It is from that foundation that BCIEA has been recognized and has jointly worked with various stakeholders in creating awareness. The NGO has since involved women of different age groups and from various communities in awareness campaigns. “We have worked with hospitals, schools, and residents in many areas to see that they get and give information about the disease,” say Decuir. One of those who attended BCIEA trainings for the first time ever, Florence Mukangenzi-a student at Akilah Institute for Women appreciates and told Sunday Times it is worthy. “Based on the information I got from the training it is not only important to me, but even other women or ladies I associate with,” Mukangenzi notes. She calls upon others who have attended similar trainings to join awareness campaigns to assist in informing others even in remote areas. However, she notes that some ladies are reluctant about medical check up assuming they are too young to contract the disease. She strongly warns and advises young ladies to take personal responsibility in protecting their health. The Director of Admissions at the institute, Carol Rugege, appreciates the move saying it was the first time some students received such training. She calls upon trainers to make good use of the training through putting in practice what they have acquired. In a random interview with people of different age groups about their knowledge and steps taken to detect breast cancer, it seems there is a long way to go in the awareness campaigns. “I have never gone for a breast cancer check -up but I feel it’s important to go for it together with my children,” said Alice Mukamugene, a mother of three. She notes that it is important for the government and other development partners to put in place information centres where information regarding prevention and detection of the disease can be found. World Health Organisation (WHO) reports indicate that 30 percent of cancer ailments are preventable, underscoring the principle of, ‘knowledge is power’. Ends