Breast cancer education for every community
Icyizere means HopeReaching every home with facts and hope.
Women reach care too late.
Myths, fear, and stigma delay diagnosis. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in Rwanda.
A continuing effort to reach people where they are.
- Educate patients, families, and communities
- Share our patient education toolkit in care settings and communities
- Reach homes through TV shows and radio talks
patients and caregivers empowered.
A community where breast cancer carries no stigma and every decision rests on facts and personal values.
Four barriers keep women from care
This is what we hear from patients and communities.
Myths
What we hearMany believe it only affects older, wealthy women.
Stigma
What we hearFear of judgement keeps women quiet and alone.
Healers
What we hearSome seek traditional healers first, and precious time is lost.
Follow-up
What we hearSome patients stop coming back before treatment ends.
What we do about it
We make sure everyone is educated on breast cancer, in the places where people live, learn, and seek care.
- We designed the patient education toolkit with survivors and clinicians
- We distribute it in care settings and communities
- We run outreaches for education and screening
- We bring it to homes through TV shows and radio talks
Made by Rwandans, for Rwandans
Icyizere began at one table with survivors, patients, clinicians, and policymakers. Today it travels to treatment centres and communities.
In their words
Survivors who helped shape Icyizere.
“Being part of this toolkit’s design as a breast cancer survivor means my experience will help others. Engaging patients like me ensures the information is real, relatable, and truly meets our needs.”
Hosiane UmuhozaBreast cancer survivor“When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I spent a long time in denial; I believed it was a disease for older, wealthy women, not someone like me. This toolkit will truly empower people facing the same misconceptions.”
Drocella MuhawenimanaBreast cancer survivor“When I was diagnosed, I had no idea what breast cancer really meant or what to expect. This toolkit will help women like me understand the disease early and make informed choices.”
Masafi MunguikoBreast cancer survivorBring Icyizere to your community
Our patient education toolkit is one of the ways we reach people. It is free to read, print, and pass on.
Want Icyizere in your clinic or community, or need printed copies? Write to info@oazis.rw.
