I lost my hair and breast, but never my hope: Roseline's cancer victory

It’s a quiet Friday afternoon in Ndere village, nestled in the heart of Gem, Siaya County. Amid the serene rustling of leaves and the distant hum of village life, 50-year-old Roseline Okoko tends to her farm. To the casual observer, she’s just another hardworking woman nurturing her land, but behind her warm smile lies a remarkable story of grit, grace, and survival.

Roseline is a breast cancer survivor.

She vividly remembers the day she walked into the hospital in 2023 and received the news that changed everything, this time, for the better. “I cried and praised God. It was the happiest moment of my life. I wasn’t expecting that kind of news, even though I no longer had any symptoms,” she recalls.

Following the announcement, her oncologist recommended a three-month course of hormonal therapy—a standard treatment designed to reduce the risk of recurrence in patients with hormone-sensitive breast cancer.

It was the final step in a long and grueling treatment journey that had included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and a mastectomy. But it was worth it. The lump in her right breast had completely disappeared.

Diagnosed in December 2021 with invasive ductal carcinoma—a type of breast cancer that begins in the milk ducts and invades surrounding tissue—her life took a dramatic turn.

It was a diagnosis she never anticipated, though the signs were there. “It was at stage two when it was discovered,” she shares.

“I decided to get tested after my late sister was diagnosed with the same. One morning, I woke up and noticed drops of blood on my nightdress. That’s when I knew something was wrong. A doctor referred me for a biopsy,” she continues.

The diagnosis was confirmed at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), where her oncologist prescribed 10 sessions of chemotherapy to start the treatment.

Chemotherapy took its toll. Roseline lost all her hair, gained significant weight, and experienced skin discolouration. But her spirit remained intact.

“My oncologist gave me so much hope. She told me I’d return to normal after chemo. I also had surgery on my right breast, a mastectomy, which impacted my self-esteem,” she shares.

“But every time I looked in the mirror, I smiled and reminded myself that I was still beautiful. That mindset helped me heal so much faster,” she adds.

Having cared for her sister through a similar ordeal, Roseline says she was mentally prepared. “I didn’t panic. I already knew what the journey might look like. Yes, the side effects were tough, but I healed fairly quickly,” she reflects.

“Healing is personal. You must accept your condition and stay positive. Denial only worsens things—it can cost you your life.”

Scarred beauty

The emotional burden was heavy, but Roseline leaned on her faith and the support of her family. “The hardest part was losing my hair and a breast. But I’ve learnt to embrace the scars. My hair has grown back, and today I feel strong and whole again,” she says proudly.

She credits her oncologist and loved ones for standing by her. “They made the burden lighter. I kept telling myself that nothing is impossible in God’s eyes. He wouldn’t give me a burden I couldn’t carry. I prayed a lot, and He answered me—I didn’t suffer severe side effects like many others,” she says with a smile.

As the months passed and treatment continued, her doctors noticed a steady recovery. “During one of my check-ups, my oncologist told me that the lump was gone—there were no signs of cancerous cells. My left breast was fine, my skin started to glow again, and I regained the weight I’d lost. Even my confidence came back,” she beams.

But the journey was far from easy. “Cancer treatment isn’t a walk in the park, especially if you’re not financially prepared. It can drain everything you have,” she says.

Roseline paid Sh350,000 for her surgery at a private facility. Despite being under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), she says the scheme only covered her bed and meals, not the operation.

“When I was first diagnosed, my husband walked the journey with me. Initially, we kept it between us. But when I was about to undergo surgery, we informed our family. I held a small fundraiser to cover the surgery and radiotherapy costs,” she explains.

Now cancer-free, Okoko is a member of a wellness group at a cancer hospital in Kisumu. She shares her journey with other patients, offering them strength and hope. “At the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I visited the hospital to talk to patients and empower them. I also made donations to JOOTRH to support those currently undergoing treatment,” she explains.

Cancer requires patience, love and humility. A patient needs a peaceful environment and to be surrounded by support. Cancer can feel isolating, but a strong community brings hope.”

She admits that the journey wasn’t easy. “When I was diagnosed with stage two cancer, I was devastated. But with the love of my family and access to proper medication, I remained hopeful.”

Not covered by insurance

“Surgery brought fear of the unknown. Cancer treatment is exhausting. The government must intervene and assist with these costs. We need better policies. Many tests aren’t covered by insurance. Sometimes drugs aren’t available in public hospitals, so patients are forced to buy them elsewhere at high prices.”

Joy Ogingo, a clinical officer and project lead for the Kisumu Breast Cancer Project, explains that breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast begin to grow uncontrollably. Instead of dying off as they should, these cells multiply rapidly, forming a lump and potentially spreading through the lymphatic system to distant organs like the liver and lungs.

She highlights that breast cancer can result from genetic mutations or uncontrolled cell growth, starting in one cell and spreading to neighbouring tissue and distant parts of the body.

Ogingo notes that treatment varies depending on several factors including cancer stage, biomarkers, age, lifestyle, and coexisting health conditions.

Early detection is critical. She encourages routine screening even when one is asymptomatic.

A clinical breast examination, performed by a trained healthcare provider, involves visually inspecting and manually examining the breasts and armpits.

Ogingo also stresses the importance of mammography. “Mammography is recommended every two years for women aged 40 to 69 years at average risk, and annually for high-risk women,” she says.
For women at average risk, it should be done every two years; for high-risk women, annually. “For women aged 25 to 39 years, CBE should be done every one to three years. After age 40, it should be annual,” she insists.

Warning signs include changes in breast size or shape, skin dimpling or redness, and any lumps or thickening.

Ogingo notes that chemotherapy side effects vary, but hair loss, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue are common as the drugs kill fast-dividing cells in the body.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), breast cancer is overwhelmingly a woman’s disease — accounting for 99 per cent of cases, with men making up less than one per cemt.

Troubling numbers

Globally, breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women and the leading cause of female cancer deaths. In 2022, an estimated 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 670,000 died.

Kenya mirrors this troubling trend, with approximately 6,800 new cases and 3,100 deaths annually.

WHO attributes these high mortality rates to late diagnosis, driven by low awareness, limited access to screening, stigma, fear, and the high cost of treatment.

But Roseline Okoko’s journey is a shining example that, with the right support, faith, and a strong mindset, recovery is possible. “I am a survivor,” she says, smiling. “And I want every woman out there to know, cancer is not the end.”