ICYIZERE FOR ALL
Cancer is the second leading global cause of death, with 9.6 million fatalities, mainly in low and middle-income countries. Predictions estimate an increase from 18.1 million cases in 2018 to 21.4 million by 2030. In Rwanda, 10,704 cases and 7,662 deaths from cancer were reported in 2018, with breast cancer as the second most common type, expected to rise from 1131 cases in 2018 to 2420 by 2040. Breast cancer management and diagnosis in Rwanda is still challenging due to several reasons. Majority of breast cancer patients present with advanced and metastatic disease while 14% of them get lost on follow-up along treatment course. In Rwanda, most breast cancer patients (88.6%) seek care in 12 months after symptom onset, with 62% diagnosed at stage 3, typically at the age of 49.7.
In Rwanda, reliance on traditional healers, widespread myths, and stigma delay breast cancer diagnosis and contribute to loss to follow-up. Many patients present at advanced stages, limiting treatment options and survival chances. Targeted patient education and community awareness programs are essential to dispel myths, reduce reliance on traditional healers, improve adherence, and promote early detection. In this regard, ICYIZERE initiative was launched.
ICYIZERE which translates HOPE, is a Rwandan project for Rwandans by Rwandans. It aims to Build a community where breast cancer carries no social stigma, and where patients are empowered to make decisions based on both evidence-based information and alignment with their individual cultural values, desires, and objectives. ICYIZERE initiative aims to empower 10,000 Rwandan breast cancer patients and caregivers through developing an interactive patient education toolkit, TV-shows, and radio talks. The developed toolkit is available both in print and as an electronic version (e-toolkit), ensuring accessibility to a broad audience. It is distributed within cancer care settings, the community and remains available for free printing for everyone.
OAZIS Health strives for a healthier world with equitable access to health information and health services to the most in need. With ICYIZERE, we are working to bring essential breast cancer infromation to patients in an easy understandable fashion without medical jargons. Should you like to work with us on healthcare providers or patients empowerment programs and service delivery? drop us a line, we are just a click a way 🙂
You can access the printable copy of the toolkit and the e-toolkit here below
