Education and Compassion: Week One

             In order to better understand the role of relationships between breast cancer patients and their families and friends on their hope for overcoming the disease in Uganda, I traveled to The Uganda Cancer Institute this past summer to initiate a research investigation on this topic. With uncertainty on where the project would go or what the experience would be, I cautiously stepped into the crowded solid tumor ward on my first day with an open mind and heart. As I followed the physician as he

made his rounds, I was struck by one particular patient. This patient was elderly, gaunt and had a look of panic painted on her face. As our eyes met, she shed a single tear. My heart drew me to her immediately and I simply stood by her side as she waited for the physician to reach her on his rounds. Uncertain on how to comfort her, I simply waited for her to express herself. She began to tell me how she had been denied chemotherapy due to being too thin and thus physically unfit for the intense treatment. She then went on to explain that she had no family, friends or home where she could access the nutrition she needed to nourish herself. Without the means to address her longer term needs, I provided her with the only thing I could at moment in time-compassion and love. I allowed her to speak of her concerns and simply listened with a concerned heart. The doctor then came to address her needs and I unfortunately had to leave her side.

            This situation unfortunately echoes the situations of far too many cancer patients in the developing world. While a majority of women in the developed world understand potential risks for, signs of and treatments for breast cancer, many women in developing nations such as Uganda are often deprived of this information. Due to the extensive lack of awareness of breast cancer, many women do not receive timely diagnoses and end up suffering from the disease, such as the woman described. In addition, the lack of understanding surrounding the disease has led to stigmatization of the disease. Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer often find their families and friends distancing themselves from them or completely abandoning them due to a fear of the disease and its potential risk for death. In order to enhance the combat against breast cancer and others cancers as well in Uganda and in other developing nations, the role of compassion must be remembered by all. Unlike the woman who I met on the first day who had no relationships full of compassion to aid her in her journey, there are patients in Uganda who are accompanied by compassionate and loving individuals on their journeys with cancer. The patients who are fortunate to experience these relationships report much different feelings than the woman I met on my first day. Those who are accompanied by compassionate and loving individuals often describe feelings of hope for the future and stronger feelings of dignity.

            In response to this research endeavor, I am calling for compassion to be remembered during the most difficult times as we continue to confront the global burden of cancer. For it is these times, that is is often most essential. Cancer patients, whether in Uganda or in the US, require loving individuals to accompany them on their journeys for it is often an emotionally and physically grueling journey.

Sarah Fracci is a part of the Class of 2017 and is majoring in Biological Sciences and minoring in Poverty Studies and International Development Studies. She is interested in global health, the global burden of cancer, breast cancer research and pediatric oncology research. In her free time she enjoys crafting, decorating, baking, reading, and running. Next year she is taking a gap year and is then plans to obtain an MD/MPH. She hopes to use her gap year to continue her research endeavors with the Uganda Cancer Institute.