Miriam Mutebi: Cancer fatalism—the belief that cancer is incurable
Miriam Mutebi shared a post on LinkedIn:
“When dealing with cancer, a common and dangerous myth is that hospitals are places where you go to die:(.
Cancer fatalism—the belief that cancer is incurable—often leads to the misconception that hospitals are only for the end stages of the disease.
This mindset can discourage people from seeking medical care and lead them to rely on unproven remedies, allowing the disease to advance unchecked.
To combat this, we need to harness the power of cancer advocates and survivors.
Their stories of recovery and hope can help change perceptions and encourage more proactive approaches to treatment.
Another prevalent myth is that biopsies cause cancer to spread, leading some to skip this crucial step and opt for surgery instead.
This approach is flawed and risky.
A thorough triple diagnostic process, that includes a comprehensive medical exam by the physician, appropriate imaging of the area/ region affected, and often a core needle biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.
Skipping these steps can lead to unnecessary surgeries and additional emotional, psychological, and financial burdens.
In oncology, the treatment approach is determined by the tumor’s biology and stage. Accurate diagnosis and a tailored, multidisciplinary strategy are crucial for effective treatment.
The reality is that surgery can be unforgiving, and you want to get it right the first time. For instance, the surgery done for benign lumps is very different from a cancer surgery and is equally different for an indeterminate lump.
Surgery should therefore never be a matter of guesswork or hazardous experimenting, but about making precise, informed, evidence-based decisions.
Thus, we must work with communities to dispel the stigma surrounding hospital visits and emphasize the importance of thorough assessments.
Early detection and proper diagnosis are key to saving lives—let’s ensure we get it right the first time.
Miriam Mutebi is a Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. She is also the Vice-President of East Africa of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), treasurer for the Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO) and on the Board of Directors of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
She is the co-founder of the Pan African Women’s Association of Surgeons and is part of the Kenya Association of Women Surgeons. She is an avid supporter for the education and support for women, especially in surgery and she aims to provide mentorship for women in surgery and to improve women’s health and surgical care in Africa. She is currently pursuing a pilot’s license in order to extend breast care services to marginalized areas.