Musa Barkeji on Closing the Breast Cancer Survival Gap for Black Women

In this vital episode of Voices of Resilience, host Mary Mosoeunyane speaks with Mr. Musa Barkeji, Consultant General and Oncoplastic Surgeon at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust and Honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London. With over two decades of experience in breast cancer surgery, Mr. Barkeji sheds light on why cancer outcomes for Black women remain disproportionately poor — and what must change to close the survival gap.Drawing on both research and frontline clinical practice, Musa explains the complex web of factors that contribute to these disparities: from late-stage diagnoses and limited awareness to cultural taboos, mistrust of the healthcare system, and underrepresentation in clinical trials. He speaks candidly about the myths and fears that still surround cancer in Black communities — including the silence that often delays lifesaving treatment — and urges a collective effort to normalise open conversations about breast health.Mary and Musa also explore the transformative role of oncoplastic surgery — a field that combines cancer treatment with reconstructive techniques to preserve body image and confidence. He offers powerful insights into how culturally sensitive outreach, community engagement through churches and grassroots groups, and earlier screening could dramatically improve outcomes for Black women.This episode is both educational and urgent — a call to action for awareness, early detection, and compassion in cancer care. As Musa reminds us, “Breast cancer is real — but survival depends on how soon we act.”