24 Oct 2023

Some 11 years ago, the now 52-year-old Ms Keaitse Kgosiyame detected a lump in her right breast, kick-starting her journey with breast cancer. 

Ms Kgosiyame says it all started with chest pains and endless headaches and she started feeling a lump on her breast when she self-examined. 

She consulted pastors and they told her that they see breast cancer attacking her. 

“I went to the hospital and they brushed it off as breast veins. Because I was confident enough about what I felt on my breast, I demanded further examination,” she added. 

After several tests, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and given medication to kick-start her treatment. 

The lump was removed in November 2012 and later in November 2015, the breast was removed as well. 

She was then referred to Gaborone Private Hospital for chemotherapy. 

“I was given pills I had to live on for five years and went for check-ups every month at the Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital,” she noted. 

Ms Kgosiyame said now that she is cancer free, she goes for check ups once a year. 

She highlighted that during this period, she could not eat any delicacies but could only manage vegetables. 

The cancer survivor, who is also visually challenged, said her life is now restored and is leading a normal life with the help of her children. 

A Public Health Resident at the University of Botswana, Dr Onkabetse Medupi, stressed the importance of self-examination indicating that it helps in the early detection of breast cancer and increases the chances of one’s full recovery. 

He said this at the breast cancer awareness day at Mabeleapodi recently. 

Dr Medupi applauded men who participated in the Stiletto Walk to support women and stated that one per cent of men are affected by breast cancer and therefore need to take part in the fight against the disease.

 Furthermore, he challenged men to help examine their partner’s breasts to look out for any abnormalities in their breasts and any skin discolouration. Dr Medupi highlighted that not every lump is cancer-related and advised that they should seek medical attention if they notice any lumps in the breasts. 

He warned people against habits such as alcohol and tobacco abuse as they can expose them to breast cancer and encouraged new mothers to breastfeed to decrease chances of breast cancer. 

Dr Medupi cautioned people against discriminating people living with breast cancer. 

He said they should be considered conquerors because a lot of people are losing their lives to breast cancer globally.ENDS