80 women get artificial breasts on Jamuhuri Day

More than 80 women living with breast cancer in the Mount Kenya region have marked their Jamhuri Day celebration in style.

Led by their coordinator Elizabeth Gathogo, who is from Nyeri County, the group converged at Kiburu grounds in Kirinyaga County where they sensitized the public on importance of early testing of cancer and how to manage it.

The women were given 60 pieces of artificial breasts free since most of them lost one or both breasts to cancer.

The artificial breasts were donated by a well-wisher who wanted to help women living with breast cancer who could not afford the aesthetic devices.

Gathogo, who is also a survivor of breast cancer, stated that the high cost of artificial breasts led cancer survivors to make ‘breast replacements’ from unsuitable materials.

“Most breast cancer survivors find it difficult to buy artificial breasts since they are expensive in the country. They opt to modify their own breast with locally available materials like socks and old clothes which do not last and are uncomfortable to use,” Gathogo said.

Josphine Wangui, who is one of the beneficiaries of the donation, said that for the last 18 years she has survived without a breast. The cancer survivor revealed that she suffered stigmatization since most of the people did not understand why she was missing a breast.

Wangui expressed her happiness after getting one saying that now she will be able to fulfill her dreams as this was a great hindrance to her duties.

The survivors asked the county and national governments to bring more cancer equipment and drugs into referral and county hospitals, adding that this move would make it easier for the local residents to access the services.