Cancer Patient Seeks Aid After Costly Treatment
The government recently reported cancer causes 50% of premature deaths in Malawi, underscoring the global challenge and the need for improved early detection and treatment access.
LILONGWE, Malawi- A Malawian woman is seeking financial assistance after depleting her limited resources on costly cancer treatment, writes Bridgette Mwanoka.
When Charity Mwafulirwa, a 52-year-old resident of Lilongwe, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2022, it marked a significant turning point in her life.
Despite the rapid diagnosis, Mwafulirwa embraced the situation and promptly began treatment.
"I underwent chemotherapy and surgery at the Cancer Centre here in Lilongwe, but a crucial part of my treatment plan, radiotherapy, wasn't available locally, so I was very uncertain about my chances of recovery," Mwafulirwa said.
With support from her church, the Kanengo CCAP Synod of Livingstonia, friends from Bwaila Secondary School, and family, Mwafulirwa embarked on a difficult journey to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in July 2023 to receive the radiotherapy she desperately needed.
After successfully completing the treatment at a cost of K5 million, she returned to Malawi in August with new hope.
"When I came back and visited the Cancer Centre, I was told that I am now cancer-free. But because I was diagnosed at stage 3A, I still needed to undergo four more rounds of chemotherapy and a full year of Trastuzumab treatment," she explained.
The biweekly treatments posed additional challenges.
Although she finished chemotherapy two weeks ago, Mwafulirwa learned the Cancer Centre lacks supplies of Trastuzumab, a targeted therapy medication.
Patients were instructed to purchase it themselves, but Mwafulirwa discovered a single dose costs nearly K1 million - a prohibitive amount on her limited income as a Health Surveillance Assistant.
Despite her financial constraints, she knows completing the full Trastuzumab regimen is vital, even as the Cancer Centre states it cannot currently provide the costly medication.
Given her situation, Mwafulirwa reached out to the Women Coalition Against Cancer in Malawi (WOCACA) for help advocating for government intervention to ensure cancer patients get the treatments they need.
Maud Mwakasungula, WOCACA's Executive Director, confirmed Mwafulirwa came to them seeking assistance.
She emphasized their organization's dedication to cancer advocacy and pushing for policy implementation despite the challenges facing the Cancer Centre.
"Our focus remains on raising awareness to educate people about cancer and highlight the huge significance of early detection, when it is still treatable," Mwakasungula said.
"WOCACA has really spearheaded advocacy around cancer, building both demand and support. We are committed to awareness, supporting patients, and improving cancer care services."
According to Mwakasungula, active engagement of media in impactful cancer awareness campaigns is also critically important.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe acknowledged the centre's difficulties but cited various government initiatives underway, including public awareness drives and introduction of the HPV vaccine for girls.
"We remain committed to improving case management by providing surgery and chemotherapy," Chikumbe said.
"Cancer progresses slowly, so early detection through screening is the key."
Chikumbe said plans are also in place to establish radiotherapy services at the Lilongwe Cancer Centre.
The government recently reported cancer causes 50% of premature deaths in Malawi, underscoring the global challenge and the need for improved early detection and treatment access.