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Jan 13, 2025, 13:46

Miriam Mutebi: Breast health services in Africa

Miriam Mutebi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, reshared a post on LinkedIn by AORTIC- Africa adding:

“Accessing breast health services in Africa isn’t always a walk in the park.

For countless African women, barriers like a lack of mammogram machines, inadequate healthcare facilities, and long distances to clinics stand in the way of crucial screenings.

→ According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in Africa, yet many lack the resources for early detection and treatment. This is a stark reality we cannot ignore.

The challenges are multifaceted.

In many regions, healthcare infrastructure is still developing, which means that essential screening services like mammography may be limited to major cities.

When available, access may still be limited by a lack of trained workforce to perform and interpret these tests. Women in rural areas often have to travel hours—sometimes even days—to reach a facility that can provide these vital services.

It doesn’t end there. Even if women were to get to the cancer care facilities the cost of treatment is prohibitive, because one often has to pay out of pocket. Add to this the stigma surrounding breast health discussions, and it’s clear that many women are left in the dark.

But here’s the silver lining: we have the power to change this narrative.

→ Advocacy is key! Join the conversation. Speak up about the importance of breast health, support local health initiatives, and encourage community awareness campaigns.

Together, we can create a ripple effect that transforms access to breast health services for all women.

Let’s push for policies that ensure early detection is not just a privilege for the few, but a right for every woman, everywhere. Every woman deserves access to the tools that can save her life, and with collective efforts, we can bridge the gap.

Repost if you agree.”

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.