Esther Mwamikazi, Clinical mentor at Rwanda NCD Alliance, shared on LinkedIn:
“As someone who is passionate about breast cancer, I have seen cases where breast tumors classified as BI-RADS 3 and 4 and were diagnosed as lipomas or just Benign tumors. When a woman is regularly checking her breasts and notices something unusual, are we truly able to attend to her and diagnose her correctly?
Many of these women may never get the opportunity to reach a referral hospital because they are reassured that the lump is harmless and sent home without any follow up.
Cancer management starts at the health centre and district hospital level. If healthcare providers at these levels do not recognize the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, or do not consider cancer as a possibility and request further investigation when necessary, then we will not be able to help our women as we should.
Early detection is not only about women checking their breasts. It is also about having healthcare workers who are equipped to recognize warning signs, investigate appropriately, and refer women when needed.
A very big thank you to Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Elekta Foundation, Imbuto Foundation who are stepping up to strengthen cancer care capacity at all levels of healthcare.”
You can also read: Mammo 2026: OncoDaily and Olema Pharmaceuticals Bring Global Breast Cancer Perspectives Together.
