In 2018, Lydie Murorunkwere, a mother of two, noticed a small lump in her breast, which she called "a little pea.” She didn’t think much of it at first, but when it persisted, she went for tests and learned it was breast cancer.

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"My first reaction was worry, not fear, but concern for my family, daughters, and loved ones, and then came a calm conviction that I needed to stay alive. I knew my time had not yet come, that God still had plans for me,” she said.

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Murorunkwere, a business professional, underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy over six months, a long and demanding process that she faced with faith and determination.

"There were days I felt strong and others when I was completely exhausted, but every morning, I thanked God for another day. I prayed, laughed when I could, and accepted help when it came. Healing took time, but grace carried me through,” she explained.

Her recovery was supported by the people closest to her, like her husband, who stood by her side through treatment, her parents who prayed continually, and her friends who offered support in ways she said she will never forget.

The treatment left Murorunkwere physically drained, causing fatigue, loss of energy, and noticeable changes in appearance. Emotionally, she noted that it taught her patience and endurance. She learned to slow down, appreciate small moments, and accept that every experience has its purpose.

She urges women to pay attention to their health, listen to their bodies, and get checked without delay, saying early detection can save lives.

"To anyone going through the same journey, don’t let the disease define you. You are more than a diagnosis, therefore, keep your faith strong, stay close to those who love you, and look for moments of hope and strength. Healing takes more than medicine, it requires courage, hope, and grace,” Murorunkwere said.

October (Pink Month) is internationally recognised as Breast Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness, promote early screening, and support those affected by the disease.

In Rwanda, breast cancer is the most common cancer, with 27.1 cases reported per 100,000 people. According to data from Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), its prevalence has been increasing since 2007. It is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country.

Why screening delays

Many women in Rwanda delay breast cancer screening, raising the risk of late diagnosis. Dr. Jean de Dieu Hategekimana, Cancer Diseases Senior Officer at RBC, told The New Times that early detection improves survival, but women still face challenges such as low awareness in communities, social beliefs, and limited access to screening services, despite government efforts through the Ministry of Health and RBC.

Hategekimana noted that few trained healthcare providers and high staff turnover make breast cancer screening and treatment inconsistent, adding that district-level facilities often lack diagnostic tools such as ultrasound and mammography.

Philippa Kibugu-Decuir, a breast cancer survivor and founder of Breast Cancer Initiative East Africa (BCIEA) said fear, misinformation, and difficulties in accessing care are the main reasons women delay screening.

"From my work through BCIEA, I have seen that most women don’t delay going for breast check-ups because they don’t care, but they delay because they are afraid, uninformed, or struggling to survive,” she explained.

Kibugu noted that in rural areas, women are often consumed by household chores, child care, farming, and caring for their husbands, leaving little time for their own health. Many fear that a diagnosis implies death, or that losing a breast will compromise their womanhood.

She said stigma also affects women, with some facing gossip or abandonment from their families after a cancer diagnosis. For many, everyday survival comes first; paying for transport or missing a day’s wages can make getting screened difficult.

"Myths about breast cancer persist in some communities, with beliefs that it is contagious or a curse. Even educated women sometimes delay, thinking, ‘If it doesn’t hurt, it’s nothing.’ That is why our message, ‘Ikunde, Imenye, Isuzumishe’ which is translated as Love Yourself, Know Yourself, Get Checked, aims to replace fear with knowledge and self-care, empowering women to embrace early detection,” Kibugu said.

Kibugu said women with breast cancer in Rwanda need more than medical treatment; they require continuous support that covers their emotional, social, financial, and physical needs.

"Breast cancer affects every aspect of a woman’s life, and no one should face it alone. Patient care coordination helps women through appointments, explains procedures, and keeps care on track from diagnosis to follow-up.”

Kibugu noted that women traveling to Kigali for treatment can stay at BCIEA’s Pink Wellness House, which offers a safe place to sleep and meals, stressing that some patients previously had no choice but to spend nights on hospital verandas.

The organisation provides knitted breast prostheses, transport, and survivor mentorship, showing patients they are not alone. Women need practical, compassionate support that respects their dignity, not pity, Kibugu said.

Kibugu added that breast cancer awareness and care in Rwanda need to move from occasional campaigns to continuous, community-based efforts that bring education and screening to workplaces, schools, and local neighborhoods, rather than waiting for women to visit hospitals.

She said clinical breast exams, ultrasound, and follow-up care should be available in every district, not just in Kigali, and noted the need to train healthcare providers while empowering survivors as advocates, explaining that lived experience builds trust in ways medical advice alone cannot.

Kibugu added that Rwanda needs targeted funding for breast cancer through its NCD programmes, and more support services are needed to make sure women don’t miss out on care.

"Our initiatives, including the ‘Taking Awareness and Screening to the Workplace’ campaign, endorsed by the Ministry of Health and the WhatsApp Chatbot IROZA, give women direct access to breast cancer information, screening, and support,” Kibugu said.

Gaps in cancer care

Dr Hategekimana explained that public hospitals and clinics in Rwanda still struggle with a shortage of trained staff and limited equipment for breast cancer screening, noting that most facilities have only a few personnel able to carry out screenings, and necessary materials are often lacking.

However, he noted that expanding staff and improving resources is an ongoing effort to support early detection and care.

The country still faces gaps in cancer management, with only around 16 oncologists in clinical practice, far below the World Health Organization (WHO)’s recommendation of one oncologist per 250 cancer patients annually, Dr Hategekimana added.

He explained that there is one radiotherapy treatment centre at Rwanda Cancer Centre (RCC) at Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital in Kanombe to serve all patients nationwide, despite estimates that 60–70 per cent of cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries need radiotherapy due to late-stage diagnoses.

"WHO guidelines suggest one radiotherapy unit for every 500 cancer patients per year, this is a problem in capacity. Access to diagnostic services, including ultrasound and mammography, is limited at the district level, delaying early detection,” he said.

Financing breast cancer

Dr Hategekimana explained that breast cancer care in Rwanda is mainly supported by the government, with partners contributing to programme efforts. He added that screening is free, and treatment is now covered under the Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) and other insurance schemes.

Early detection saves lives

"We advise people to understand that cancer is real and can be fatal if not treated early. The only effective treatment is medical or surgical care, not prayers or traditional remedies, as some believe. We also encourage women to seek medical attention immediately if they notice any unusual changes in their breasts, such as pain, discharge, skin discoloration, or nipple retraction.”