Miriam Mutebi: From climate change to the link between nutrition and cancer prevention at UNGA 2024

Miriam Mutebi shared a post on Linkedin:

”As I take one last look out at the New York skyline, bathed in the glow of countless tiny apartment lights, I’m reminded of the immense challenge we face in addressing cancer.

The towering skyscrapers mirror the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in healthcare—especially concerning something as complex as cancer. Yet, those small lights you see dotting the cityscape, symbolize hope, resilience, and interconnectedness.

This week, at the UN General Assembly (UNGA 2024), our conversations ranged from climate change to women’s health, access to clean water, nutrition and agriculture, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and economic policies.

On the surface, these topics may seem unrelated to cancer care. However, as we’ve explored, they are deeply interconnected.

From the impact of climate change on public health to the role of AI in diagnostics and the link between nutrition and cancer prevention, each subject sheds light on a different aspect of patient-centered care.

One light alone may not illuminate the entire sky, but as each one comes on—one by one—they collectively create a brighter landscape. This serves as a powerful reminder that our individual efforts in cancer care discussions, become transformative when interconnected. This can’t be understated. Through collaboration, we can address the root causes, barriers, and innovations that help us live longer and better lives.

The sum of our contributions far outweighs the impact of any single light. As we shine our separate lights, we highlight our areas of expertise while revealing the greater picture.

As I wrap up this 54 Days Of Cancer Advocacy, I’m reminded of one of my favorite childhood benevolent figures: Optimus Prime, who said, “We can be heroes in our own lives, every one of us.”

Throughout this journey, we’ve seen countless heroes across Africa and beyond, letting their lights shine—patients, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare workers; uniting in the effort to transform cancer care.

As we carry this momentum into the future, know that it is this collective brilliance that will drive real change across the cancer care continuum, for a healthier, brighter future. Like Optimus, this is a call to all the heroes out there, especially on our African continent, “We see you, we celebrate you”.

Let’s keep shining our lights. Together—and working closely with AORTIC- Africa, our partners and friends, old and new—we can make a difference.

To partner with us visit.”

Source: Miriam Mutebi/Linkedin

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 the President of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), and past president for 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.