On November 19th, KILELE Health Association, with support from the SAMBAI Project, convened a focus group discussion on November 19th, bringing together breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer warriors to openly share their lived experiences and the challenges they face throughout the cancer treatment journey.

The discussion, held at the KILELE Health offices, created a safe and inclusive space for participants to reflect on diagnosis, treatment, caregiving, and survivorship. The session aimed to amplify patient and caregiver voices, identify gaps in care, and inform future advocacy, support programs, and policy engagement.

Why the Discussion Matters

Cancer treatment extends far beyond hospital walls. For many patients, the journey is marked by emotional strain, financial pressure, treatment side effects, delayed diagnosis, stigma, and limited access to timely information and services.

The focus group discussion was designed to listen first allowing those directly affected by breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer to share their realities in their own words.

“Too often, decisions about cancer care are made without centering the voices of those living through it,” noted Joan Wangari, survivor coordinator KILELE Health. “In this discussion, we are changing that narrative.”

What Participants Shared

Through guided conversations, open dialogue and shared learning, participants spoke candidly about:

• Delayed diagnoses and misdiagnosis
• The physical and emotional toll of treatment
• Financial challenges linked to medication, transport, and long-term care
• Mental health struggles, including fear, anxiety, and burnout
• The often-unseen burden carried by caregivers

What Comes Next

Insights gathered from the focus group will inform KILELE Health Association’s future programming, advocacy efforts, and partnerships ensuring that initiatives respond directly to real needs on the ground.

“At KILELE Health, we believe lived experience is a powerful tool for change,” Said Benda Kithaka, Executive Director KILELE Health Association. “Listening to cancer warriors and caregivers helps us design interventions that are compassionate, practical, and impactful.”

“We aim to continue strengthening community-driven approaches that place cancer warriors at the center of care, advocacy and decision-making,” she added.

A Commitment to Holistic Cancer Care

This focus group discussion forms part of KILELE Health Association’s broader commitment to holistic cancer care addressing not only medical treatment but also emotional wellbeing, dignity, and community support.

By centering conversations around lived experiences, KILELE Health continues to advocate for a cancer care system that is inclusive, responsive, and rooted in humanity.