Miriam Mutebi on Breast Cancer, Barriers to Care, and Empowering Female Surgeons in Africa

In this powerful episode of The Future of Medicine, host Dr Euan Ashley sits down with Dr. Miriam Mutebi, a breast surgical oncologist at the Aga Khan University in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Mutebi discusses the rising incidence of cancer in low and middle-income countries, where 70% of global cancer deaths occur despite only 5% of resources being allocated to these regions.She shares her personal journey into medicine and surgery, reflecting on the challenges she faced as one of the few women in a predominantly male field. Dr. Mutebi highlights the importance of patient-centered care, emphasizing the value of compassion and personal connection in clinical settings, especially for women battling breast cancer.We delve into the cultural barriers that hinder effective diagnosis and treatment, explore the stigma surrounding breast cancer, and discuss how financial constraints often prevent patients from accessing the care they need.As a co-founder of the Pan African Women's Association of Surgeons, Dr. Mutebi is dedicated to promoting gender equity in global oncology and empowering the next generation of female surgeons across Africa.Join us for an enlightening conversation on the pressing issues in cancer care, the transformative power of mentorship, and the urgent call for equitable healthcare solutions.The Future of Medicine brings you weekly conversations with the innovators and thinkers shaping health and healthcare today. The show features extraordinary speakers from Stanford Medicine Grand Rounds, one of the longest-running and most respected forums in academic medicine.Call to action: If you enjoy The Future of Medicine, subscribe for more conversations with leading scientists shaping the next era of healthcare. Please rate and review the podcast to help others discover these important discussions. Share with friends and colleagues who are curious about how science becomes medicine.