Editor,

RE: "Beyond practice: Surviving cancer” (The New Times, February 23)

I want to profoundly thank Dr Achille Manirakiza for his encouraging and kind words and call for action. It is exciting to witness awareness, attention and interest in the burden of cancer in Rwanda gaining momentum.

We’ve just marked World Cancer Day that has left us with a challenge each one of us must not ignore.

The tagline: #We Can I Can should nudge us on a daily basis: Educating ourselves and each other about this disease must become a priority.

As Dr Achille said, those of us who have been impacted by cancer in one way or the other, including the caregivers, have plenty of knowledge and experience to pass on and the voice to press for the needed change for a healthier Rwanda.

If we own it as our problem, like all other major problems we have faced, we will find a solution to it.

The strides that have already been made give me and you so much hope, but yet again, the fight against cancer must intensify: "The enemy you know cannot kill you” but you can’t watch the same enemy – we must take action against it. We must be vigilant.

Phillipa Kibugu Decuir