In August 2022, MP John Ruku-Rwabyoma, a member of the Chamber of Deputies, was diagnosed with colon cancer, the most common type of gastrointestinal cancer.

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the large intestine (colon) – the final part of the digestive tract. It typically affects older adults, though it can happen at any age.

READ ALSO: 10 things to know about colon cancer

The good news is – the lawmaker recovered from this fatal disease.

"I was diagnosed with colon cancer in August last year [2022] and had surgery in November. I am now back at work,” said the 65-year old lawmaker.

This is the same disease that killed US actor Chadwick Boseman, best known for playing King T’Challa in Marvel’s American superhero film "Black Panther,” a death that left fans and the film world shocked. The actor died at the age of 43 on August 28, 2020, after battling with colon cancer, his family confirmed in a statement.

MP Ruku-Rwabyoma said that some people are dying from colon cancer and that such misfortunes should give a message to Rwandans that "they have to go for regular medical check-ups [at health facilities] for early detection and treatment” of this fatal disease.

He told The New Times: "I knew about it when it [the colon cancer] was at stage one. By that time, you do not feel anything, you don’t get any symptoms.”

He said once it has reached stage three or four, chances of surviving are very slim.

His cancer was detected by a doctor at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), he said.

When you detect it earlier, it’s treatable

Colon cancer is considered to be one of the most preventable cancers. Medics recommend that people with a high risk of colon cancer consider early colon cancer screening. This is because when the cancer is detected in its early stages, there are higher chances of preventing it.

READ ALSO: Colon polyps: Early intervention can prevent colon cancer

The disease, the lawmaker said, is very dangerous. In its developed stages, it starts spreading to other organs of the body, ultimately killing the affected person.

"When you detect it earlier, it’s treatable. When you detect it later, once it has reached stage three, or stage four, it kills you,” he said, underscoring that Rwandans should do medical screening for colon cancer as they do for breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, among others, "and this should be part of our culture.”

"I can disclose my medical condition, I have no buts about it; but if it can save other Rwandans, I am happy about it. I am encouraging every Rwandan, mostly if you are above 45, to go out and have it checked out.”

The lawmaker got treated by doctors in Canada.

Lack of regular physical activity, a diet low in fruit and vegetables, a low-fiber and high-fat diet, or a diet high in processed meats, as well as being overweight and obesity, are listed as some of the major causes of colon cancer.

READ ALSO: Eat healthy and prevent colon cancer

In September 2020, Dr Fidel Rubagumya, a clinical and radiation oncologist, told The New Times that: "Treatment modalities are available in Rwanda.”

Rwanda Military Hospital in Kigali offers specialised treatment for cancer. It means that Rwandans no longer have to travel abroad for cancer screening and treatment.

ALSO READ: Five things you need to know about the newly launched Rwanda Cancer Centre

The Rwanda Cancer Centre, launched in February 2020, is possibly the most advanced of its kind in East Africa. At the time of its launch, more than 57 % of the treated patients were covered by "Mutuelle de Santé” while others were either privately funded or foreigners.

Lately, more than 1,400 cancer patients have been treated at the Rwanda Cancer Center.

"Up to 90 percent of the cases we treated have recovered well. People should know that cancer is not a death sentence. The government has made a lot of investment in equipment, personnel and medicines to make sure that we have good treatment in the country,” Maj. Dr. Felix Nganji, a consultant clinical oncologist at the center, told The New Times early February.

In 2012, the government in partnership with Partners In Health inaugurated Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence, hosted at Butaro Hospital. In its first six months, the center received 543 patients. In the following year, that number increased to 1,147.

ALSO READ: Butaro cancer centre to be expanded

The center has, so far, reportedly enrolled more than 14,000 patients from Rwanda and across the continent.

More than 20 types of cancer can be treated at Butaro Hospital in collaboration with other local hospitals like the Rwanda Military Hospital. Partners In Health subsidizes chemotherapy and other ancillary medications to ensure that patients receive treatment.

ALSO READ: How Rwanda Cancer Centre is saving hundreds of lives

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths, or one in six deaths, as of 2018.

Lung, prostate, colorectal (colon and rectum), stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common among women.

The cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems.

In countries where health systems are strong, the WHO indicates, survival rates of many types of cancers are improving thanks to accessible early detection, quality treatment and survivorship care.