NAIROBI, Kenya – Cancer survivors are turning their personal experiences with the disease into support for other patients, helping them navigate treatment and life after cancer.
Speaking during the PinkTober Women’s Run held at The Hub Karen, Benda Kithaka, executive director of Kilele Health Association, said survivors have an important role to play in changing how communities understand cancer.
“Through Kilele Health Association, survivors and caregivers are trained as advocates to spread awareness about cancer prevention, early detection and the possibility of living a fulfilling life after treatment,” Kithaka emphasised during the event, which News9.africa attended.
The run, organised by Women Runs by Supamamas, attracted more than 1,000 participants gathered to promote breast cancer awareness and healthy living.
For Eunice Wambua, one of the patients diagnosed with cancer in 2017, joining a cancer support group helped her cope with the challenges that came with treatment and life afterwards.
Wambua underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is currently on hormone therapy.
“It has been a very tough journey because no one is willing to employ me, but joining Kilele, which is a cancer support group, I have found a community,” Wambua said.
Wambua, who is currently pursuing counselling psychology, added that she hopes to use the skills to support other cancer patients after completing her studies.
Mary Mwangi, another cancer survivor who attended the event, said courage and acceptance are important when navigating cancer treatment.
Mary was diagnosed with stage three spinal cancer after initially being treated for tuberculosis without improvement.
She later detected a lump in her left breast through self-examination and was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was declared cancer-free in September 2021.
Mary now shares her experience with other cancer patients and knits breast prostheses to help women regain confidence after treatment.
Breast cancer awareness
The initiative was part of a celebration during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, celebrated every October.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), breast cancer represents approximately a quarter of all cancers that occur in women globally every year.
WHO further notes that with 1 in 6 cancer deaths in women worldwide, breast cancer is also the leading cause of cancer deaths among women globally.
“Breast cancer caused an estimated 694 000 deaths globally in 2024 and was the most common cancer in women in 164 countries out of 186 in the same year,” WHO noted.
The organisation called for early detection and treatment to reduce the rate of mortality.
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