20-Year-Old Girl Triumphs Over Triple Cancer Challenge With Hopeful Outlook

 Enduring three different types of cancer at the age of twenty, Future Kyuma, a Journalism student and Intern at Capital FM, endures a challenging and agonizing journey that takes a toll on her mental and physical well-being.

Diagnosed with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer, Kyuma confronts the challenges each day with the hope of eventually being free from cancer, despite the daunting hurdles.

Despite grappling with the unbearable health conditions that led her to attempt suicide twice, Kyuma is resolute in her determination to triumph over the diseases that have plagued her from as early since the tender age of 11.

In a display of unwavering strength, Kyuma sat down with this writer on the eve of World Cancer Day to narrate her tale of resilience and optimism amidst the persistent shadows of despair.

“I want my story to inspire hope in cancer patients, especially to the young persons who are battling the disease. It is not easy but with hope and determination everything is possible,” she told this writer in an interview on Saturday.

Kyuma, originally a healthy child born in Nairobi, enjoyed a calm babyhood until her health took a turn in 2015 while she was attending primary school in her rural home village in Makueni County.

The beginning of her health challenges manifested with a minor wound on the left side of her breast, accompanied by fatigue on the entire left side of her body that she initially attributed to being overweight.

However, her concern escalated a week later when her left breast began to noticeably enlarge in size compared to her right one.

“I sought medical attention at a village hospital, and they prescribed medication in the form of a cream for me to apply,” she recounted.ADVERTISEMENT. SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING.

– Breast cancer diagnosis –

Kyuma’s situation worsened in 2017 during her transition to high school in Form Two.

It was then that the nipple on the left side of her breast started bleeding while she was in class.

Despite the painless nature of the bleeding, Kyuma remained oblivious to it until her teacher noticed blood on her white blouse.

“I went to a hospital in Wote, but later a doctor advised me to visit Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). There, I met a doctor who diagnosed me with breast growth and prescribed medication,” she revealed.

Upon her return to school, additional distressing symptoms emerged, including weight loss and memory lapses, further alarming her and heightening her concern about her health.

The school principal, upon learning about the situation, advised her to return home and seek additional medical care, as she recounted during the interview.

“I went back to KNH with my grandmother, where they conducted tests, took scans, and performed a biopsy to determine the issue. To my shock, they informed me that I have cancer,” she recounted.

The shocking diagnosis of stage three cancer in March 2017 sent shivers down Kyuma’s spine, as she associated cancer with imminent death at that time.

“I was really confused, scared, terrified and sad. I cried a lot because I knew my life was coming to an end. But thankfully I overcame the fear after a lot of counselling,” she said.ADVERTISEMENT. SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING.

Upon returning to school, she faced harsh stigmatization due to her condition.

Her friend, who had initially kept her medical condition secret, disclosed it, leading to the information spreading across the student population.

The stigmatization got worse to the point where she opted out of school.

– End of hope –

Shaken by the stigmatization and overwhelmed by despair, with thoughts of death lingering, Kyuma contemplated the idea of getting married.

“I wanted to have children so that when I die I would know that I have left my offspring behind,” she said.

Kyuma transferred to another school with the initial hope of being embraced once her condition became known.

To her dismay, after settling in, as students and teachers began to notice her breast bleeding, they wrongly associated her with an evil cult due to her exceptional academic performance, achieved effortlessly.

“My classmates started spreading rumours that I belong to an evil society and that the bleeding used to help me get good grades. I never used to study hard but I was a sharp student,” she narrated.

Made to believe the rumours could be true, her class teacher sought to accommodate Kyuma in her house where she and her husband’s preacher-turned-sexual predator used to pray for her in the name of exorcising the evil spirit.ADVERTISEMENT. SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING.

“I ran from that homestead after realizing that I was in a toxic place,” she said.

The class teacher went back to school upon realizing Kyuma’s departure and lied that the rumours were true.

Later, the Principal confronted Kyuma and informed her that the school would no longer accommodate her. The decision came despite her attempts to explain that she was sick.

“I left the school heartbroken and feeling hopeless. I felt not wanted in the society,” she said.

Driven by her determination to finish her studies, Kyuma enrolled in two other schools.

Despite encountering similar challenges of stigmatization and isolation, she eventually completed her studies and later achieved an average mean grade of A minus.

While still on medication, Kyuma underwent her first chemotherapy in 2019.

-Ovarian/Cervical cancer –

What seemed like a recurring monthly cycle, accompanied by unbearable left-sided stomach pain for two years, turned out to be stage two ovarian cancer for Kyuma.

Receiving the diagnosis in July 2022, Kyuma teetered on the edge of surrendering to the battle. She was at this point in her first year at the KCA University.ADVERTISEMENT. SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING.

Encountering a strong support system during this challenging phase, Kyuma chose to persevere and embrace the chance for life.

“I met supportive people during this period and I decided to fight the disease,” she said.

Njeri wa Migwi Mwangi, the founder of the Usikimye Foundation—an organization committed to ending the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence—is a key figure in Kyuma’s life, standing alongside her grandmother.

Migwi provides financial support to Kyuma and offers comprehensive assistance in terms of mental and emotional well-being.

For nearly two years, Kyuma experienced bleeding from her female reproductive system.

During this time, in addition to losing weight, she also experienced hair loss, which she attributed to the rigorous medication and chemotherapy.

“It was a difficult period but I used to keep myself positive,” she said.

During the treatment, Kyuma received a diagnosis of diabetes, as she adhered to a strict diet aimed at regulating her overall well-being.

Despite the initial glimmer of hope and positive changes, in January 2023, Kyuma received a diagnosis of cervical cancer, dealing her a significant blow that led her to contemplate suicide.ADVERTISEMENT. SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING.

Her initial attempt involved overdosing on the prescribed medication, followed by resorting to purchasing rat poison, both of which proved unsuccessful.

Supported by a strong network and Mingwi’s active role in her life, Kyuma has accepted her health situation and continues with her medication, optimistic about overcoming the disease.

“One day I will be declared cancer-free,” she tells this writer.

– World Cancer Day message –

On World Cancer Day, Kyuma urged fellow cancer patients to maintain hope and positivity, acknowledging the challenges they face.

She emphasized that the day serves as a crucial opportunity to heighten awareness about cancer, particularly emphasizing the importance of instilling hope in cancer patients, assuring them that their battle is not lost.

“The day is an important one as it goes a long way to instil hope in those who have cancer and remind those that do not that we are part of them and that they can play their part in being supportive,” she said.

While her medical condition has stabilized with the prescribed medication, Kyuma harbours aspirations for success both in her career in journalism and in the field of business.

“I am a warrior and I shall overcome,” she says as the interview comes to a close.

In Kenya, the Ministry of Health reports that cancer ranks as the third leading cause of death, following infectious and cardiovascular diseases.ADVERTISEMENT. SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death, surpassing cardiovascular diseases.

The theme for World Cancer Day 2024 is “Close the Care Gap.”

The theme highlights the inequities in cancer care that exist around the world and calls for action to ensure that everyone, regardless of where they live, has access to quality cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care.