Omar Abdihamid: August is for an Organ Most People Forget Exists
Omar Abdihamid, Medical Oncologist at The Nairobi Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“August is for an organ most people forget exists…
If I asked you to name 5 cancers, appendix cancer would probably never cross your mind.
Yet every August, we dedicate this month to raising awareness for this rare, often silent disease.
The appendix — that tiny pouch we were told is “useless” — can sometimes hide one of the most aggressive cancers.
The heartbreak?
- Symptoms often mimic appendicitis, bloating, or vague stomach discomfort
- Many are only discovered by accident during surgery for something else
- By the time it’s found, treatment options may already be limited
I’ve seen the shock and disbelief on patients’ faces when they hear the words: “You have appendix cancer.”
It’s a reminder that no cancer is “too rare” to matter — especially if it’s yours or your loved one’s.
This August, let’s shine a light on the smallest of organs with the loudest of messages: Early awareness saves lives.
Had you heard of appendix cancer before today?”
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