The Kenyan woman confronting cancer stigma with knitted breast prostheses
Summary
A Kenyan woman named Mary Mwangi, who survived cancer, is addressing the stigma surrounding breast cancer by knitting affordable breast prostheses. After her own experience with cancer, she used knitting to help herself and others overcome social challenges associated with mastectomy. Her knitted prostheses offer a cheaper alternative to silicone ones, benefiting many women in Kenya.Key Facts
- Mary Mwangi runs a tailoring shop in Thika, Kenya, and picked up knitting again after cancer treatment.
- She was diagnosed with spine cancer in 2017 and breast cancer in 2018.
- Mwangi underwent a mastectomy and 33 radiotherapy sessions, which were financially and socially challenging.
- She noticed other women hiding signs of mastectomies due to societal stigma.
- Mwangi learned to make knitted breast prostheses, offering them as a cheaper alternative to silicone versions.
- Knitted prostheses are sold for about $11.60, compared to $170 for silicone ones.
- Breast cancer impacts more than 6,700 women annually in Kenya, with many unable to afford expensive prosthetic options.
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