AT just 15, Sega Diallo’s life was forever changed when cancer struck, threatening to cut short his promising future.
But Diallo refused to let the disease define him. Instead, he faced it head-on, fighting for every breath, every moment.
Seventeen years later, Diallo’s remarkable story has come full circle. The teenager who once stared death in the face has emerged as a medical doctor, driven by a profound purpose: to help others conquer their own battles with disease.
As the world shines a light on Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, Dr. Sega Diallo shares his own harrowing tale of battling the disease that threatened to steal his childhood.
According to specialists, childhood cancer also known as pediatric cancer is a devastating reality that affects children below the age of 18.
While it is often perceived as a disease that primarily impacts adults, it is important to recognise that it can occur in children as well, with unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that every year, tens of thousands of children across the Sub-Saharan region are diagnosed with various forms of cancer.
In Zambia alone, about 1,000 new pediatric cancer cases occur annually, yet less than 10 percent of these children complete their treatment.
This is due to a combination of factors, including limited access to specialised care, financial constraints and inadequate awareness about childhood cancer.
With less than 10 clinical and radiation oncologists based at the Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH), Zambia continues to grapple with cancer cases.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Diallo, a survivor of childhood cancer stands as a knight in shining armor for those suffering from the deadly disease.
Dr. Diallo’s journey with cancer began at the tender age of 15 when he was in the ninth grade.
He was diagnosed with Fibromyxoid Sarcoma, a rare form of soft tissue cancer that develops deep within connective tissues, affecting muscles, tendonsand nerves.
Reflecting on his diagnosis, the medic explained that the journey had not been a walk in the park.
“So my cancer journey started when I was 15, I remember, I was in grade nine. It came at a time when I had no clue about cancer, all I knew was that when you get cancer, you die.”
“So there’s this one day, I came from school, I was changing into my home clothes then I noticed a small lump on my chest and I remember I used to carry a small one hand bag and I used to carry all my books, so I thought it was an effect from the bag. So I didn’t put much attention to it. But a week or later, it was growing, so I went to tell my mom then she got worried and told my dad and he said we needed to go to the hospital,” shared Dr Diallo.
He said after this revelation, the unpredictable happened at the hospital as the case didn’t turn out to be as small as it seemed.
For his family, the news of Dr Diallo having cancer was devastating, particularly for his parents.
“So we went to the district hospital then we were referred to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and that’s how we started seeing the doctors, then came a time when they needed to get a sample to check if the lump was cancer or non cancerous. Then months later, we got the results and trust me I wasn’t expecting the news. How it got from this small lump that I had to cancer I couldn’t understand and I thought it was over for me.”
“I remember seeing my mom cry whenever she thought she was alone and from UTH, we were referred to the Cancer Diseases Hospital. There I was told, I was going to start treatment, they had to do a scan and they needed to start treating. So we did chemotherapy, they explained everything I would expect, I was counseled but I didn’t know it was that bad,” he revealed.
According to Dr. Diallo, the chemotherapy caused nausea, vomiting and significant weight loss.
At the time of his second cycle of the therapy, the then patient was in his 12th grade and could not be able to participate in the regular school life.
“I then told my class teacher that I would be missing school from what they told me at the hospital and I didn’t tell my classmates then, I only told one of my classmates so I had to find a way of doing school and sickness. They gave medication via drip and they would see if it’s working and just like that.”
“I did my first cycle then the side effects started to set in and one time I was having a shower and I passed a brush in my head and I stated losing hair, I was told I would lose it but I didn’t know it would be so intense, so I just decided to remove the hair,” shared Dr. Diallo.
He added that during his last year in Secondary school, he only managed to attend school for three months and had to rely on his friend for notes.
The emotional and psychological toll of his illness was immense.
“I lost my confidence. I didn’t want to be around people or take pictures. It affected my mental health deeply,” he admitted.
His family also faced financial challenges as after several cycles of chemotherapy, doctors recommended surgery in India.
However, due to financial constraints, Dr Diallo’s family opted for local surgery in Ndola, where muscles and the tumor from the left side of his chest were removed.
Throughout his treatment, there were moments when Dr. Diallo wanted to give up.
“I felt like quitting. I thought, ‘If I die, I die.’ But my family and friends kept encouraging me to continue,” he remembered.
Despite the odds, he finished his chemotherapy and entered remission.
However, just when he thought the battle was over, the cancer returned, this time in his ribs. Another surgery followed and by his second year of university in 2019, he was told he was cured.
“I used to be very athletic before the cancer, but now I’m scared of getting injured,” Dr. Diallo reveals. There was also a lingering fear that the cancer might return. Every time I felt sick, I could ask myself if the cancer was back,” he noted.
Dr. Sega Diallo’s battle with cancer not only shaped his personal life but also inspired his professional journey.
He pursued Medicine and Surgery from Apex Medical University and intends to specialise in Hematology or Oncology.
In light of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Diallo urged the public to support initiatives like the Relay for Life Cancer Hike and the Brave Hearts Photography Exhibition by the Zambia Cancer Society on the 28th of this month.
These events are meant to celebrate survivors, remember those who have lost their lives and support those currently fighting the disease.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, September 16, 2024
