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Miriam Mutebi: Married to the Mission – A Perspective on Kenya’s Breast Cancer Crisis

Miriam Mutebi/LinkedIn

Apr 14, 2025, 08:25

Miriam Mutebi: Married to the Mission – A Perspective on Kenya’s Breast Cancer Crisis

Miriam Mutebi, Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital, posted on LinkedIn:

“A friend once jested that I am married to my job.

I very well could be. In the last couple of weeks, every attempt to meet has been thwarted by my relentless schedule.

A few days ago, as I geared up for our long-awaited online meeting, unforeseen patient concerns demanded my immediate attention, once again sidelining personal engagements. I could concede and say, my unwavering dedication keeps me grounded in surgical rooms and clinical wards.

Truth is a bit less altruistic. It’s my lived reality as a surgical oncologist, witnessing firsthand the escalating breast cancer crisis in our nation and in Africa.

Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women in Kenya and across Africa. In Kenya, it accounts for approximately 23.3% of all female cancer cases and 16% of all cancer patients

In 2022, the country recorded 7234 new cases, translating to an age-standardized rate of 41 per 100,000 women. This, according to Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2022 data. By 2025, annual incidences are expected to surge by 66%, reaching 7,396 cases, with an estimated 3,258 deaths.

This surge places an immense strain on healthcare infrastructure and, more personally, on professionals like myself at the frontlines.

It’s why I continue to advocate for increased research funding for breast cancer care prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies, including surgery, and health systems research, as a whole.

Imagine a scenario where Africa amplifies its investment in breast cancer research. Such a move could lead to:

Localized Solutions: Developing interventions that resonate with our unique cultural and societal contexts.
Capacity Building: Training a new cadre of researchers and clinicians dedicated to combating breast cancer and providing innovative and compassionate, gender responsive care.
Infrastructure Development: Establishing state-of-the-art research facilities equipped to conduct cutting-edge studies.

Beyond research, investing in the training of a surgical workforce, including female surgeons, is also crucial. Studies have shown that women’s leadership positively impacts various aspects of healthcare, including financial performance, innovation, and health outcomes.

Yet, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions within the sector. Organizations like the Pan African Women’s Association of Surgeons (PAWAS) are pivotal in helping to address this gap.

This year, as I continue to navigate the demands of my profession and personal life, my prayer is that we get closer to experiencing a future where breast cancer care and women’s surgical leadership in Africa are significantly improved.”