Despite the fact that Breast Cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer among women in Kenya, myths, misinformation, lack of information and statistics about Breast Cancer are a major challenge to good breast health and care among Kenyan women. The Kenya Breast Health Programme (KBHP) was founded in 1999 by the Late Julia Mulaha, a Breast Cancer Survivor, in order to address these challenges. It is a national
non-profit programme inspired and driven by the message in Hosea 4:6 “My people are perishing because of lack of knowledge.” .
KBHP envisions a Kenya with a significantly reduced Breast Cancer mortality rate, where every man and woman enjoys ready access to relevant health information and services for the early detection and treatment of Breast Cancer.
To reduce the Breast Cancer mortality rate in Kenya by:
• Increasing public awareness about the nature of Breast Cancer.
• Teaching the techniques of Breast Self Exams.
• Encouraging the practice of Breast Self Exams, Clinical Breast Exams and Mammography.
• Disseminating information on available diagnostic and treatment facilities.
• Advocating for an increased number and access to existing diagnostic and treatment facilities.
• Eliminating myths and misinformation about Breast Cancer among medical practitioners and the Kenyan public.
Kenya Breast Health Programme facilitates and co-ordinates events that further the
fight against Breast Cancer in Kenya. It has successfully engaged diverse groups of
Kenyan men and women in the fight against this disease through community education,
empowerment, activism and service.
• Awareness Workshops
KBHP has held a series of Awareness Workshops that have educated over 2000 women since the year 2000 about Breast Cancer detection and treatment. Awareness Workshops
have been held at various places including Moi University - Eldoret in celebration of International Women’s Day. These have also been held in other towns and villages across Kenyaincluding Mombasa, Nairobi, Kilifi, Kimilili, Nyeri, Nakuru, Kajiado, Embu, Kisumu, Siaya, Kwale, Kiambu and Limuru. These will continue to form an integral part KBHP’s programme ofactivities.
• Health Professionals’ Workshops
Since the inaugural Workshop held for 52 health professionals affiliated to Kiambu District
Hospital in November 2001, three workshops have been held for health professionals guided by the question,“What role can I play as a healthcare professional to facilitate better breast care?”. Participants pledge to make breast exams a routine part of every
Maternal and Family Planning Clinic visit, educate every woman they come in contact with about Breast Cancer and teach them how to conduct breast self exams.
• Breast Screening Activities
From October 2003, the Programme has conducted 5 free breast screening exercises in 3 towns at which a total of 1,858 men and women have been educated on breast self examination techniques and breast health issues.These will be the backbone of our
education focus in the future.
• Baseline Surveys
KBHP has conducted three Baseline Surveys that have measured myths, knowledge and attitudes about Breast Cancer among a diverse sample of Kenyan men and women.
Currently statistics gathered at various screening exercises facilitated by KBHP are providing valuable indicators of Breast Cancer incidence in the country.
• Newsletter
KBHP publishes a newsletter that disseminates information about Breast Cancer, inspires readers to practice good breast healthcare and serves as a forum for supporters and
Breast Cancer Survivors to share information, experiences and support each other.
• Website
Our website www.kenyabreast.org features information on the Programme, news, events, research updates and inspirational stories from breast cancer survivors. It also features our E-Newsletter and links to other breast cancer information sites.
• National Survivors’ Conference In April 2002, KBHP hosted Kenya’s first National Breast Cancer Survivors Conference. The second conference was held in July 2003 and brought together 66 survivors and supporters from all over the country to look at
Breast Cancer through a survivor’s perspective. The Conference is an annual event which empowers Breast Cancer Survivors to form a powerful and supportive community of breast health advocates.
There is power in sharing one’s story of triumph and survival. KBHP documents survivors’ experiences with Breast Cancer to serve as an inspiration to themselves and others. Survivors’ Stories are a powerful tool in combating complacency and ignorance in the fight against this disease.
KBHP has held a series of Training of Trainers Workshops that have empowered over 50 women since 2000. The theme of these is “Knowledge is Power”. Women who are leaders in their communities - social workers, teachers, religious workers and health advocates – add to their set of skills by learning how to teach others to perform breast self
exams and receive regular exams by medical practitioners. Trainers return to their communities inspired and empowered to be effective advocates for good breast health.
KBHP hosts Mammogram Days on the third Friday of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month of October in hospitals where mammography services are available. On this day
women are welcomed by KBHP volunteers - many Breast Cancer Survivors themselves - who answer questions, respond to concerns and encourage women to schedule free
or reduced price mammograms facilitated by KBHP and participating hospitals. Women role models invited by KBHP lead in taking mammograms.
KBHP facilitates the annual participation of several Kenyan delegates at numerous international health conferences, including the Global Health Council’s “Healthy
Women, Healthy World” Conference, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Conference and the Reach to Recovery Conference. This provides Kenyan men, women and health professionals with the opportunity to develop effective national and international partnerships with other breast health advocates.
