By Veronica Mrema
She is only 36 years old. It was not easy for her to accept the reality that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and that her breast would need to be removed as part of life-saving treatment.
“One day while I was taking a shower in the bathroom, I noticed a small lump in one of my breasts,” says Betty Mgeni, a resident of Gongo la Mboto, Dar es Salaam.
At first, she was not alarmed, thinking it was just a minor swelling that would disappear with time, but that was not the case.
Betty eventually decided to seek medical attention. She first visited a nearby dispensary for examination, but doctors were unable to identify the problem.
After noticing that the lump was still present, she decided to go further and visited the Ocean Road Cancer Institute, where further examinations confirmed that she had breast cancer.
The news was devastating.
“It felt like my life had come to an end. I thought I was going to die. When I received the diagnosis, I was in shock,” she recalls.
She returned home and informed her family about the diagnosis. Reactions were mixed.
“Some comforted me, but others advised me to go to a traditional healer, while others encouraged me to continue treatment at the hospital.”
THE REALITY
Despite advancements in healthcare, cancer remains one of the major public health challenges in Tanzania.
Women and young people continue to be diagnosed with the disease, sometimes at a young age, as was the case with Betty.
According to estimates by the World Health Organization [WHO] through the GLOBOCAN 2022 study, Tanzania records more than 44,000 new cancer cases every year.
Cancer-related deaths are estimated at around 29,000 annually, with cervical cancer among women and prostate cancer among men leading in both cases and deaths.
Reports also show that more than 89,000 people live with cancer within five years after diagnosis, highlighting the importance of post-treatment follow-up care.
"... NOT A DEATH SENTENCE”
The Director of the Shujaa Cancer Foundation, Gloria Kida, who has survived breast cancer for 16 years, says society still needs to change its perception of the disease.
The foundation actively engages in community education and recently joined cancer survivors on June 7 to mark World Cancer Survivors Day.
Gloria says the aim of the day is to give hope to patients and show that life continues after cancer.
“Many people, when they hear a cancer diagnosis, think it is the end of life. But we show them that there is life after treatment,” she says.
She adds that bringing survivors together helps build psychological strength among newly diagnosed patients, especially when they meet people who have lived more than 10 or 20 years after treatment.
CLINICAL FOLLOW-UP...
Cancer specialist Dr. Sarah Nyagabona from Muhimbili National Hospital says clinical follow-up is essential for cancer patients.
She explains that follow-up helps in early detection and monitoring of a patient’s condition.
“Even when there is a risk of recurrence, for those who were treated and recovered, it becomes easier to detect early and take action,” she says.
Dr. Nyagabona adds that cancer can grow and spread if not closely monitored.
“Patients should continue attending clinic appointments even after being declared cancer-free,” she emphasizes.
She further notes: “Doctors are partners to patients. Patients should feel free to share their challenges so that we can help them.”
This follow-up process, known as surveillance, is essential for ensuring a better quality of life after treatment.
CHALLENGES
Treatment costs remain a major burden for many cancer patients.
“In 2013, I was diagnosed with breast cancer on my left side. I was treated, the breast was removed, and I underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I recovered,” says Tusekalunde Kasitu.
Eleven years later, in 2025, she was again diagnosed with signs of a tumor in the other breast. She underwent treatment, surgery, chemotherapy, and is now undergoing radiotherapy.
She says the biggest challenge for cancer patients is the cost of treatment, especially for those enrolled in the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), where some services are not fully covered.
“We are told to join insurance, and we do, but treatment costs are still very high. Personally, I cannot advise a cancer patient to rely fully on the insurance package,” she says.
She adds: “It becomes painful because sometimes you are insured through community contributions, then after receiving treatment, you are asked to go back and seek additional contributions again.”
She explains further: “For example, they tell you treatment costs 3 million, and insurance covers half, so you pay 1.5 million yourself.”
“For radiotherapy, a cash patient pays about 100,000 per session for 25 sessions, but with insurance you are still asked to contribute about 2.5 million, where insurance covers only half.”
“For many families, this is very difficult,” she says, calling on the government to review the system and reduce the financial burden.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE AND EFFORTS
The Government of Tanzania, through the Ministry of Health Tanzania in collaboration with development partners, has expanded early cancer screening and treatment services.
The government has also committed to reducing cancer-related deaths by more than 30% in the coming years through national cancer control strategies.
HOPE REMAINS
Although cancer remains a major threat in Tanzania, survivors’ testimonies clearly show that it is not a death sentence.
The key remains early detection, clinical follow-up, and public awareness, especially among young people and women who may notice symptoms early.
Betty chose to continue treatment at the hospital and is now doing well.
“My breast was removed, but my health has improved. It is hard for anyone to tell that I once had cancer unless I say it myself,” she says.
She adds: “I encourage women and girls to check themselves early and go to the hospital whenever they notice unusual changes.”
Chapisha Maoni