Lyndah Kemunto, Radiation Oncologist at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital shared on LinkedIn:
“Funny how life comes full circle.
Last week in Abuja, I attended the Best of ASCO Africa Conference expecting to simply learn. I always look forward to conferences where I have no responsibilities to organize or present, and this was supposed to be one of them.
Then one of my colleagues said, ‘SG, we want to elevate you.’ Naturally, I thought I was about to receive some special recognition. Instead, they were ‘elevating’ me to the podium as a substitute presenter and panelist on early breast cancer after a colleague couldn’t make it.
Within hours, I was learning new clinical trials, condensing 50 slides into a 30-minute presentation, and preparing to present data I had only just internalized. It was both daunting and exciting. I love the thrill of a challenge. I’m grateful to my colleagues who generously shared their insights, supported me, and gave me the confidence to step onto that stage.
Beyond the presentations, some of the richest discussions centered on how we can translate the latest evidence from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2026 Annual Meeting into individualized, patient-centered cancer care within African health systems. Advances in oncology only matter if they ultimately improve the care of the patients sitting in front of us every day.
The irony wasn’t lost on me. Earlier this year, my abstract was accepted for poster presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2026 Annual Meeting, but I couldn’t make the trip because the cost was simply prohibitive. So, standing in Abuja discussing ASCO data felt like a full-circle moment.
I came home with more than conference notes. An unexpected illness, which I’m still recovering from, reminded me that good health is a gift, and that even doctors need doctors.
Grateful for the opportunity to learn, network and travel.”
Other articles featuring Lyndah Kemunto on OncoDaily.
