Tisaukirenji Kaunda was 21 years old and in Form Four at Lilongwe Girls Secondary School when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The disease causes cells in the breast to grow out of control.

Tisaukirenji Kaunda

Breast cancer is said to be a huge problem at the moment, as it is the third commonest cancer in Malawian women; the number one commonest being cervical cancer, according to local pathologist Dr. Tamiwe Tomoka.

Nonetheless, the young breast cancer survivor was immediately determined to fight the disease.

It all started with a lump in her breast, which she says with time, began to swell and got painful.

And Tisaukirenji rushed to the hospital where she was diagnosed.

Upon getting the news of her breast cancer diagnosis, she had a mixed bag of emotions.

She explains: “In addition to the overwhelming medical and logistical details, my major concerns included the fear of death, disfigurement, pain, disability, infertility, dependency, abandonment, altered relationships and financial hardships.”

But in no time, the then student reassured herself that she would get through it, believing she was not facing cancer alone.

Tisaukirenji quickly accepted it and developed a positive attitude towards it.

“In my world, having cancer was not a fight at all. I learned to live with my disease. I believe life is about living as well as possible and I understood the importance of coping, acceptance, positivity, setting short-term achievable goals and drawing on support from those closest to me,” says the young woman.

Upon completing her breast cancer treatment and getting a clean bill of health in 2021, the first born in a family of four of four jumped right back into life.

She explains that it is now up to her to figure out how to put one foot in front of the other as she moves ahead with life.

For those battling cancer either in hospital or at home, she encourages them not to worry, adding that everything is happening for a reason.

“You may not understand now, but someday you will. Tough times have made me the person I am today. Once you have gone through a lot of tough situations, you become good at dealing with the problems,” she says.

Tisaukirenji further advises breast cancer fighters to base their diet on fruits, vegetables and other foods from plant sources, such as whole grains and beans.

She advises: “Eat lighter and leaner, by choosing fewer high-calorie foods. Limit refined sugars and fat from animal sources. Drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all.”

And to the public in general, she advises them on the need to reduce their risk of getting cancer by making healthy choices such as keeping a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, limiting the amount of alcohol they take and protecting their skin.

“It’s never too late to make a change, live for the moment, create boundaries, learn to let things go and stop obsessing over timelines. And lastly, be confident,” she says.

Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe sees about 150 women with breast cancer per year, but Tomoka believes some might be dying at home because they do not have access to the hospital.

She adds that still others end up in district hospitals and are unable to come to tertiary hospitals.

Out of the 17 936 new cancer cases identified in Malawi in 2020, 1 486 were breast cancer, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Whereas data indicates that having a first-degree relative (mother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer almost doubles a woman’s risk.

Two first-degree relatives increases her risk by about three-fold, but Tisaukilenji points out that she did not have any family history of breast cancer when she got the diagnosis at KCH in 2017.

But as Tomoka observes as evidenced by the survivor’s story, breast cancer is treatable when diagnosed early, through surgery and chemotherapy.

With surgery the affected breast is removed and thereafter, the patient undergoes chemotherapy.

The pathologist says there are many efforts in various communities, hospitals and organisations to raise awareness on breast cancer.

They advise women to examine themselves in the breasts and rush to the hospital or seek care if they feel any lumps.

In regards to screening, Tomoka says there are also clinical breast examinations, but this is not yet a national programme.

She says the breast cancer clinic at KCH receives specimen from across the country, whereby if a women has a lump in the breast, a surgeon takes a small piece of that swelling (tumour) and sends it to this tertiary hospital’s laboratories.

There, with special techniques, experts analyse the sample and examine it, then issue a report to the physician.

The 26-year-old survivor born at Dedza District Hospital.

She believes good life is about living for other people and making a difference in their lives.

“I believe that the world would be a better place if each one of us made an effort to help at least one person with the resources at our disposal.

“I am inspired by Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and I want to see Malawi progress to the next level. I love volunteering and reaching out to people in all areas of life. My favourite quote is ‘the measure of your life is the love you leave when you are gone,’” she says.

Tisaukilenji has just completed her Bachelor’s degree in food science, nutrition and dietetics at the University of East Africa— Baraton, in Kenya.

She is based in Blantyre. In her free time, she loves reading inspirational books, writing, listening to music, motivating young people and visiting new places.

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