Breast Cancer, Barriers to Care, and Empowering Female Surgeons in Africa

Watch this 23-minute medical interview featuring Dr. Miriam Mutebi, a breast surgical oncologist at Aga Khan University in Nairobi, Kenya, as she discusses transforming cancer care for women in Africa during her time as a Stanford African Scholar in Global Health. Learn about the alarming increase of cancer cases in low and middle-income countries, where 70% of global cancer deaths occur despite receiving only 5% of global resources. Discover Dr. Mutebi's inspiring journey into medicine and surgery as one of the few female surgeons in a traditionally male-dominated field, her emphasis on patient-centered care and compassion in breast cancer treatment, and her work addressing cultural barriers including stigma surrounding cancer diagnosis and treatment. Explore her role as co-founder of the Pan African Women's Association of Surgeons, which advocates for gender equity in global oncology and creates supportive environments for women in healthcare. Gain insights into the challenges patients face accessing cancer care in Africa, the importance of mentoring female surgeons, resource allocation for cancer research, community pressures versus individual agency in healthcare decisions, and developing appropriate language around cancer communication in different cultural contexts.