Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Breaking the silence, managing the formidable disease

Mrs. May Arati, Kisii County First Lady, giving an address at a forum of women grappling with breast cancer in Bomachoge Constituency, Kisii County. She advised the patients to embrace transparency and speak out so as to get full support. PHOTO/Courtesy.
  • Breast cancer has the highest incidence among all cancers, with over 2.2 million cases reported globally and is the leading type of cancer in Kenya, with 6,799 new cases as of 2020.
  • In Kenya, high prices of drugs used to treat this deadly disease, such as trastuzumab, is one reason breast cancer is seen as a “death sentence.” 
  • Kenya is among the three African countries piloting an initiative to support improved access to breast cancer detection, treatment, and care services over the next three years.

The rising cancer burden is a concern globally. 

In reference to The Breast Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis Action Plan (2021-2025), there were an estimated 19 million new cases and 10 million new deaths worldwide in 2020.

According to The International Agency for Research on Globocan (2020), cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya, after infectious and cardiovascular diseases, accounting for 7% of overall mortality, with 42,116 new cases and 27,092 deaths in 2020.

However, the majority of the cancers are diagnosed at advanced stages when the prognosis is poor, and few options for curative treatment are available.

Breast cancer has the highest incidence among all cancers, with over 2.2 million cases reported globally and is the leading type of cancer in Kenya, with 6,799 new cases as of 2020.

With October being a month dedicated to breast awareness, we shall delve into piloting initiatives in Africa to support improved access to breast cancer treatment and possible new treatment, men’s battle against breast cancer, and how counties are empowering women to battle the disease.

Paying to survive

In Kenya, high prices of drugs used to treat this deadly disease, such as trastuzumab, is one reason breast cancer is seen as a “death sentence.” 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, set aside to sensitize people on the need to go for early screening and on diagnosis, treatment and care for breast cancer. ILLUSTRATION/Courtesy.

Seeking anonymity, a breast cancer survivor exclusively told Scholar Media Africa that she had to sell most of her assets in an effort to raise money to pay for diagnostic tests that are not covered by insurance. 

She had a special kind of breast cancer called HER2. 

“The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) contribution of KSh500 monthly barely covered for my treatment,” Mary, which is not her real name, explains.

She further noted that most people perceive cancer as a straight ticket to the grave; therefore, her plea to friends and family for financial help bore no fruit but brought about neglect and withdrawal.

After her diagnosis, Mary was prescribed to take a drug called trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody launched by the Swiss firm Roche in 1998, which is administered through injection.

She was recommended to take 18 monthly intravenous injections, with each costing KSh1100, and her insurance only catered for four.

“I was devastated. I even felt like slapping the doctor. I could not believe it,” said Mary.

Glimmer of hope

Kenya is among the three African countries piloting an initiative to support improved access to breast cancer detection, treatment, and care services over the next three years.

The other two countries are Zimbabwe and Cote d’Ivoire.

Further, AstraZeneca, in collaboration with Japanese company Daiichi Sankyo, has announced promising results from Phase 3 clinical trial for their experimental drug Datopotamab Deruxtecan.

This groundbreaking medication is demonstrating its potential to significantly reduce the intensity of advanced-stage breast cancer, offering a potential lifeline to patients battling this formidable disease.

Dr. Ken Takeshita, Global Head of Research and Development at Daiichi Sankyo and responsible for leading the organization’s global clinical development strategy, expressed optimism about the drug’s potential to become a vital treatment option for breast cancer patients.

“We look forward for more ongoing Phase 3 trials, including studies in patients with triple-negative breast cancer which shows the dedication to exploring its full potential,” said Dr. Takeshita.

Dr. Ken Takeshita, Global Head of Research and Development at Daiichi Sankyo. PHOTO/Courtesy.

Datopotamab Deruxtecan falls under the category of drugs known as Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC), which combine the advantages of precise targeting and potent cell-killing effects, achieving highly accurate and efficient eradication of cancer cells.

Breaking the silence, men’s breasts matter

According to Breast Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis Action Plan (2021-2025), male breast cancer represents between 0.5 to 1% of all breast cancers diagnosed yearly in the Western World. 

However, the incidence is documented to be higher in Sub-Saharan countries, accounting for about 6% of breast cancers.

Male breast cancer has typically been diagnosed at a more advanced stage than female breast cancer, most likely due to a lack of awareness that men can also develop this type of cancer.

Early last month, the County Government of Nakuru initiated a men’s breast cancer awareness campaign aimed at getting more men tested for early diagnosis and treatment in addition to fighting the stigma surrounding men’s breast cancer.

Nakuru County Executive Committee Member in charge of health Jacqueline Osoro, speaking at a delegation at GTB Scan Lab Nakuru Limited, said that though breast cancer is connected to women, who are more at risk due to hormonal fluctuations, similar factors of hormones, among others put men at risk of this disease.

“Even though there are rare cases of men’s breast cancer, they should be made aware of common symptoms such as lumps, discharge and skin discoloration around the breast area,” advised Ms. Osoro.

She indicated that Kenya, like other third-world countries, struggles with cancer control, adding that thousands of cases of cancers like prostate, cervical, and colorectal come up every year, and there is still a lot to be done to create more awareness.

“Cancer is a leading cause of death all over the world; one thing that can help change that is awareness. People are encouraged to look out for the signs and symptoms and educate themselves more on the different types of cancer, hence the promotion of months like Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” she added.

She revealed that the national government has established policy guidelines to reduce breast cancer prevalence by 50% by 2025 through regular screening, early diagnosis, and strengthening the capacity of healthcare workers so as to detect precancerous cells early and effectively.

Globocan, the international agency for research on cancer, further illustrates that breast cancer claims 18,772 women and 14,215 men annually.

Over the next five years, the same data projects that cancer rates will rise twice as fast in Kenyan women, enhancing the urgent need for enhanced awareness and prevention efforts.

Empowering patients and survivors

In an enlightening event in Bomachoge in Kisii County, the county first lady, May Arati, met with women grappling with breast cancer and encouraged them to shatter the shackles of stigmatization associated with the disease.

Participants were counseled to shift their perspective on breast cancer by breaking their silence, embracing transparency, and sharing their predicaments openly in pursuit of getting the necessary support.

“We should stop viewing breast cancer as a death sentence and rather address the risk factors of the disease such as lack of exercise, staying overweight as well as use of alcohol,” advised Mrs. Arati.

Nominated Member of Parliament Lilian Gor made a fervent call to action for women to seek medical attention promptly and take advantage of the proposed Cancer Center established within the county.

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Apart from empowering women breast cancer survivors and patients, Gor decried the low attendance of men at the forum, saying that they are also affected by this type of cancer and should be proactive in their health.

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Ms. Njoroge holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Moi University. She is a Digital Human-Interest Writer, particularly in the realms of Gender, Book Reviews, Environment and Climate Change. Email: wangarinjoroge213@gmail.com

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