Kipchumba (Chebiwot) Winnie: Don't just know your body, listen to it
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| Kipchumba (Chebiwot) Winnie |
Even though October, breast cancer awareness month, has passed, health conversations will continue. Having experienced health crises in my family, it is regrettable that some hopeless situations could have been resolved with adequate information and proper lifestyle habits. As simple as it may sound, drinking enough clean water, wearing face masks in crowded areas, and avoiding sedentary positions, amongst other damaging behaviours, will go a long way to prevent health complications.
Losing a loved one to health issues is painful. You may interpret this in different ways. But I choose to see it as life's way of telling you to do something about it to avoid recurrence. Fortunately, for Kipchumba (Chebiwot) Winnie, our feature spotlight, whose mother was diagnosed with breast cancer but survived, that singular experience became a transforming moment.
The blogspot would be missing the point if we shift from the primary focus, which is none other than the Pharmacist extraordinaire, Kipchumba (Chebiwot) Winnie. As busy as she is in her medical field; gracing speaking events, giving health talks and other activities, she gave her time to have a chat with Omote Ro Dhe giving deep insights and clear takeaways.
Read excerpts below:
Can you tell us a bit about your journey as a regulatory pharmacist and what inspired your focus on global health and digital innovation?
I am a pharmacist by profession, and my journey has always been guided by a deep commitment to improving health outcomes, not only within my community but across Africa and globally. This passion naturally drew me toward the field of global health. I strongly believe that the future of healthcare lies in digital transformation.
Digital innovation is already reshaping the way we prevent, diagnose, and manage disease, ultimately improving quality of life. My interest in this space stems from a conviction that technology, when applied thoughtfully, can bridge long-standing gaps in access and equity. I aspire to contribute to initiatives that leverage digital solutions to strengthen health systems and bring meaningful change to the lives of people who need it most.
Last month( October) was a special month for you, not just professionally but personally. Would you share your mother’s breast cancer story and how it has shaped your outlook on women’s health?
October will always hold special meaning for me, not only as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but as the month my family’s journey with breast cancer began. It was on a Sunday in October 2021 when my mother called after church to tell me she had found a lump in her right breast. I remember asking her whether it was painful or movable. When she said it wasn’t painful but moveable, I took a deep breath and told her to visit the nearest dispensary for an examination.
Since it was a Sunday, she went the following day. She was referred for further tests, and eventually to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where the diagnosis was confirmed: stage II breast cancer. What followed was a long and difficult journey, chemotherapy, a mastectomy, radiotherapy, and later hormonal therapy.
Today, I am deeply grateful to say that my mother is a survivor and a warrior, living her life fully again. This experience has profoundly shaped how I view women’s health. It reminded me that early detection saves lives, and that awareness is just as vital as access to treatment. To those currently battling cancer, I say: do not give up. The journey is tough, but you are tougher. And to caregivers, I see you. You are the anchor your loved one needs. Our family’s journey was not easy, but we conquered, and so can you.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women worldwide. From your research, what trends stand out in global incidence and survival rates?
Globally, breast cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death among women. In 2022, about 2.3 million women were diagnosed, and nearly 670,000 died from the disease. It now accounts for one in every four cancer cases among women worldwide.
What stands out most from the data is the widening gap between incidence and survival across regions. In high-income countries, five-year survival rates exceed 90%, thanks to organized screening, early diagnosis, and access to comprehensive treatment. In contrast, survival in parts of sub-Saharan Africa remains around 40–50%, reflecting persistent inequities in detection and care.
Interestingly, women in low-resource settings are less likely to develop breast cancer but far more likely to die from it. Globally, incidence is rising, particularly among younger women under fifty due to lifestyle changes, while mortality has fallen sharply in high-income regions. Unfortunately, these gains have not yet reached low-income countries, where many women are still diagnosed at advanced stages.
You’ve highlighted the survival gap between high- and low-income countries. What key factors contribute to this disparity?
The survival gap in breast cancer outcomes between high- and low-income countries is primarily driven by differences in awareness, access, and health-system capacity.
In high-income countries, early detection is routine and treatment is well coordinated. In contrast, in many low-resource settings, breast cancer is often detected late, more than half of patients are diagnosed at Stage III or IV due to low awareness, fear, stigma, and limited diagnostic access.
Even after diagnosis, structural barriers such as few treatment centers, lack of radiotherapy, and high out-of-pocket costs make care difficult to complete. Social and cultural factors including misconceptions about cancer and dependence on alternative medicine also delay care.
Addressing these challenges will require a whole-system approach that expands screening, decentralizes oncology services, and integrates breast-health education into primary care.
What structural or systemic barriers need the most urgent attention — is it screening access, diagnosis delays, treatment costs, or data gaps?
All of these barriers are interconnected, but if I were to prioritize, I would highlight three urgent areas: early detection, access to treatment, and reliable data systems.
Screening and early detection remain the weakest link; most women are diagnosed only when symptoms appear. Establishing community-based screening through primary health centers could save countless lives.
Access to treatment is another major challenge. Many African countries have very few cancer centers, and oncology drugs or radiotherapy services are limited to capital cities. Public investment and health insurance coverage for cancer care are critical to ensure equity.
Lastly, data gaps hinder planning and accountability. Without strong cancer registries, progress cannot be tracked. Strengthening surveillance, expanding oncology capacity, and empowering communities through education must go hand in hand. Together, these steps can build a stronger, more responsive health system for women.
One book that changed your perspective?
“I’ve read many books that have influenced how I think and work, but two in particular stand out, please allow me to mention the two.
The first is ‘Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office’ by Dr. Lois P. Frankel. It transformed how I approach professional spaces, helping me to be confident, assertive, and intentional about my growth and leadership.
The second is ‘Scaling Impact’ by Timothy Laku, which has become my daily guide at work. It captures the realities of limited-resource settings so well and offers practical insights on how to create lasting, sustainable change that truly reaches underserved communities.
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