KENYA – Dr. Miriam Mutebi, a prominent breast cancer surgeon and Assistant Professor at Aga Khan University in Kenya, has been appointed to spearhead the fight against breast cancer among women across Africa.
As the first female breast cancer surgeon in Kenya, Dr. Mutebi has committed her career to enhancing women’s health, particularly in the field of early diagnosis and effective treatment for breast cancer patients.
Dr. Mutebi’s leadership role comes as part of the newly established Africa Breast Cancer Council, a coalition formed to combat the continent’s most significant cancer threat to women.
Supported by Roche, a prominent global biotech company, the Council is composed of oncologists, surgeons, first ladies, survivors, and advocates who collectively aim to drive impactful changes in breast cancer care across Africa.
“The reality is that many African women face significant delays in diagnosis,” stated Dr. Mutebi. “We are here to advocate for change and reduce the time to diagnosis from six months to just 60 days.”
Addressing critical challenges in diagnosis
The challenge of late diagnosis in breast cancer cases is alarming. Women in Africa often experience wait times exceeding six months after noticing symptoms, largely due to systemic inefficiencies and inadequate access to specialized medical care.
These delays result in over half of women receiving diagnoses at advanced stages, drastically diminishing their chances of survival and increasing the costs associated with treatment.
Dr. Mutebi emphasized the Council’s focus on improving healthcare infrastructure and access: “We must work towards systemic enhancements to ensure timely and effective breast cancer care.”
Honoring excellence in oncology
Dr. Mutebi’s commitment to her field has not gone unnoticed; she was recently awarded the 2024 Humanitarian Award by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), marking her as the first African-based oncologist to receive this honor.
This prestigious award recognizes her exceptional service and leadership in oncology, both in the U.S. and internationally.
“I am truly humbled by this global recognition from ASCO,” Dr. Mutebi remarked. “This award reflects the collective efforts of our AKU community and is dedicated to our patients, whose resilience inspires us to strive for excellence.”
Dr. Mutebi’s influence extends beyond her clinical role. In 2021, she was appointed co-chair of the National Cancer Task Force in Kenya, tasked with developing an effective cancer management strategy.
She also serves as President of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) and sits on the Board of Directors of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
Her commitment to improving breast cancer treatment includes pioneering the “Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator” (DIEP) flap procedure in East Africa, providing vital reconstruction options for breast cancer survivors.
She is also the co-founder of the Pan African Women’s Association of Surgeons, which was developed to mentor and provide transformative leadership for women in surgery in order to improve surgical care and pathology on the continent, and is part of the Kenya Association of Women Surgeons.
Goals of the Africa Breast Cancer Council
The Africa Breast Cancer Council aims to tackle the critical issues surrounding breast cancer care in Africa. Their five-year strategic plan includes:
