She shaved her hair to convince her mother accept chemotherapy

“It all started as simple sickness with my mother always complaining of stomach pain, headache and sometimes fever. She would regularly go to hospital and life seemed normal.
But because of the constant complaints, everyone at home was bothered that we chose to ask her to do some extensive checks at Mulago hospital, just like a one Dr Ssozi of Mpigi Health Centre IV had advised.
At Mulago National Referral Hospital, Dr Jane Namugga discovered that she had tumours on the uterus and had to undergo surgery as more tests were being conducted.

The specimen had been referred to Surgie Path Laboratory in Wandegeya, which sent them to the US.
The day we came to pick the results in September last year, Dr Namugga told us the operation had been cancelled and that she would give us further information later.
She later revealed to me that my mother had stage 2B cervical cancer.
I got so hurt. It was a trying moment since the doctor had also tasked me to find a proper way of breaking the news to my mother.
The mood at home was somber. The family was in total panic as we looked to find our next move.

Telling mum that she had cancer sounded like reading her a death sentence.
It felt like I was telling her that she was going to die. I spent half of my day reciting prayers, putting her in a jovial mood.
I broke the news to her while wearing a plastic smile to give her hope that she would survive, but deep inside me I knew it was over.
I told her: “maama omusawo agambye olinamu ka cancer naye Katono.” Loosely translated: “The doctor said you have a little cancer in your body.”

She did not cry, but I saw sadness in her eyes. I saw pain eating her up in just an hour.
Maybe in my eyes she knew I was just making her strong.
Weeks later, maybe because of fear, she started getting many ailments she did not have.
We sat her down as a family and talked to her and she later gained hope.
In the days preceding the diagnosis, we started receiving a cocktail of advise from friends and well-wishers.
Our phones were always ringing but all we settled for was radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

The hair loss issue
One of the few things we knew about our mother was that she liked her hair so much.
We do not remember her ever shaving it. When we sought Chemotherapy, she had been convinced that whoever goes through that process loses their hair.
At this point I had failed to convince her that it was our best shot at treatment.
I held her hand, went to the salon and cut my hair short.
I told her that no one would question her loss of hair in case she loses it since we will be all looking the same.
With a smile, she accepted, though deep inside me, I was crying for her.

She accepted treatment and endured six weeks of radiation.
Every morning was prayer and laughter for us since I had chosen to get an indefinite leave to take care of her.
Much as I was pregnant and doctors discouraged me from entering the radiotherapy sections, I defied their advice.
I had to at least stand by my mother and crack jokes to create a smile on her face.
The improvement was on and off but the four times she had chemotherapy, it hit her so hard that in December, the doctors put her off that treatment.

We were advised by friends to switch to a local herb that would weaken her, but at least take her pain away for a moment.
In her last days, she got a tumor on her head and when we went back to hospital, the doctors said the cancer had spread to the brain.
Although the doctor had advised me to tell her what happening to her, I never did because I did not want to inflict more pain on her.
However, the doctor advised that we subject her to palliative care at Hospice Uganda.
They gave us medicine that much as her health was worsening, she was immune to pain.

She was put to radiation again and this time, it was evident she had started hating life; she hated eating that we would plead with her.
But in all this, she never missed a prayer. She was always appreciative and accepted her condition.
Her only hurt was that she always believed she would have more time on earth for government to release her gratuity and she accomplishes her dreams.
Following, another series of chemotherapy at Uganda Cancer Institute as we cried, prayed, treated and lamented, our mother passed on on March 21 this year.
Shockingly, her gratuity was released an hour after breathing her last.”

What WHO says...

Number. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 300,000 women die of cervical cancer each year. More than half a million women are diagnosed annually, meaning every minute, one woman is diagnosed.
Threat. Cervical cancer is one of the greatest threats to women’s health. Each death is a tragedy, and can be prevented.
Most of these women are not diagnosed early enough, and lack access to life-saving treatment.
Findings. Studies have shown that prevention and early treatment of cervical cancer are also highly cost-effective.
Nine in 10 women who die from cervical cancer are in poor countries. This means some of the most vulnerable women in our world are dying unnecessarily. This is not fair or just.

Frustrating. Rising cervical cancer deaths is undermining health gains for women made in maternal health and HIV care. Current disparity in survival from cervical cancer, which varies between 33-77%, is unacceptable and can be minimized.
Prevention. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and curable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. New diagnoses can be reduced in two ways, HPV vaccination and screening of the cervix with follow on treatment of early changes before cancer appears.

Burden. Currently, most women diagnosed with cervical cancer are diagnosed with advanced cancers, where opportunity for cure is small. This compounded by lack of access to life-saving treatment in settings where the burden and need is highest.
Cost. Urgent action is needed to scale up implementation of proven cost-effective measures towards the elimination of cervical cancer as a global public health problem. These actions include vaccination against human papillomavirus, screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions, early detection and prompt treatment of early invasive cancers and palliative care.

Commitment. This will require political commitment and greater international cooperation and support for equitable access, including strategies for resource mobilisation.
Call. In May 2018, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made a global call for action towards the elimination of cervical cancer. This is in line with the targets of WHO’s General Programme of Work: 1 billion more people benefiting from universal health coverage; 1 billion more people better protected from health emergencies; and 1 billion more people enjoying better health and well-being.

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