I am 80 years old, living in Zambia, and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024.
In 2011, I noticed a small lump on the side of my breast. I passed it off as an innocent occurrence. Even when I would go to the hospital for other ailments, I never mentioned the lump to the doctors. It was not until 13 years later, in February 2024, after it had grown bigger and painful, that I visited a clinic in my area.
The clinic suspected breast cancer, and because of their lack of capacity, I was referred to a bigger hospital located outside my area. However, the challenge was that I had no relatives there I could stay with while I attended the hospital. I therefore decided to go to a different hospital in another province (state) where I had relatives. This was in May 2024.
The biopsy revealed that the lump was cancerous. I was then referred to the Cancer Diseases Hospital in the capital, Lusaka, another long trip.
At the cancer hospital, I was given an appointment for a month later. On the appointed day, I was again given an appointment for a future date. Frustrated, I returned home and sought medical help at a private clinic. I was placed on treatment for one year, until one day I discovered the clinic had closed. I was shattered to say the least. I was then left with no option but to go back again to the cancer hospital in the capital. This was September 2025, a year after my last failed appointment.
The oncologist recommended a CT scan, and I was advised to return after a week for the results. It meant another long trip back home.
While on the bus, I received a call from Mr Boaz Musamvu, a male breast cancer survivor and the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance (MGCGA) Ambassador. He introduced himself and was kind enough to share his cancer journey with me, and told me there were a lot of men around the world with the disease and that breast cancer was treatable.
He offered to meet me on my next trip to the hospital. For the first time, I felt a big relief to hear that there were other men with the disease because I had concluded that mine was a curse, as the disease was for women only.
Armed with my CT-Scan results and in the company of Boaz, I was seen by a doctor who revealed that I had presented with an invasive ductal carcinoma grade 1 but clinically Stage 3 breast cancer.
The doctor laid out the treatment plan, beginning with eight (8) cycles of chemotherapy, to be followed by an assessment for possible surgery and radiotherapy. My treatment journey began on 8th October 2024. The doctor was optimistic that the treatment would be successful.
Boaz shared with me the MBCGA material for male breast cancer as we parted. How I wish I had this information in 2011 when I initially noticed the lump. Nonetheless, I am prepared to face my new world, and with God’s help, I am optimistic that I will come out healthy and stronger on the other side.