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Jan 9, 2025, 10:45

Miriam Mutebi: It’s not just about surviving – it’s about thriving

Miriam Mutebi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, shared on LinkedIn:

“I’ve met so many African women who’ve faced breast cancer with courage, resilience, and grace.

Their stories remind us that #earlydetection and proper treatment can help women continue to live full, vibrant lives.

↳ Take Jackie for example (not her real name), who was thriving when we recently spoke during the holiday season.

Things were very different eight Decembers ago when she was thrown out of her marital home, for choosing to have a life-saving mastectomy.

Sound familiar?

While many partners are supportive following a breast cancer diagnosis, Jackie’s husband and his family felt this was a curse on their community.

This is unfortunately NOT an isolated occurrence.

↳ Studies show that many breast cancer patients across Africa will have an alteration in their marital status 3 years into a diagnosis, with many divorced or abandoned.

Our research reveals a multitude of reasons including stigma, or being perceived as a burden by families. It has nothing to do with levels of education or socio-economic status.

Thankfully, Jackie is now thriving with her children and is involved heavily in grassroots #advocacy to encourage other women in her community to go for screening.

I view her as one of our many unsung heroes.

→ Remember, it’s not just about surviving—it’s about thriving.

Repost if you agree.”

Miriam Mutebi: It’s not just about surviving - it’s about thriving

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.