Survivor of HIV, cervical and colon cancer: Viviane’s journey through 13 surgeries

Viviane Achieng’* was just 29 years old, happily married and living in Mombasa, when she was diagnosed with HIV in 1999.

Today, she is 56 and a survivor not only of HIV, but also of cervical and colon cancer.

At the time, the stigma surrounding HIV was intense. Achieng’ (not her real name) says she had already lost two children to unknown causes, and the diagnosis overwhelmed her. She was in crisis but eventually found the strength to begin treatment.

Access to antiretroviral drugs was then difficult and expensive. A week’s supply cost about Sh6,000.

It was not until 2003 that she started taking ARVs consistently, a routine she has maintained for 23 years.

Sharing her story helped her secure work with a supportive NGO.

“Many people lose their jobs when they disclose their status,” she says.

There was a second battle: cancer. In 2007, during a routine screening, Achieng’ was diagnosed with stage two cervical cancer.

“I had no symptoms,” she recalls.

After seeking second and third opinions, she agreed to doctors’ recommendations for a total hysterectomy—the removal of the uterus.

Because her immunity was low, surgery was considered safer than chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

“I knew I would never conceive again, but I had no choice,” she says.

Soon after the operation, her marriage collapsed.

Achieng’ says her husband, who had consented to the surgery, later left, saying he wanted children. He later died after stopping his ARVs.

Three years later, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Doctors initially removed part of her colon, but the cancer later spread to her rectum, forcing surgeons to remove both.

She now lives with a permanent stoma — an opening in her abdomen connected to a bag that collects waste.

“I have a hole on the side of my tummy where I fix the bag,” she explains.

Achieng’ has undergone 13 surgeries. Throughout, she never stopped taking her ARVs.

Gynaecological oncologist Dr Alfred Mokomba explains that HIV patients can safely continue ARV treatment while undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

“ARVs help boost immunity and do not interfere with cancer treatment,” he says.

The cost of survival

For the past 16 years, Achieng’ has relied on stoma bags. Each bag costs about Sh1,000, and she needs at least two every week.

The financial burden is heavy, especially for patients without a steady income.

“There are people who starve themselves just to reduce how often they change bags,” she says.

Despite the challenges, Achieng’ says the stoma does not stop her from living a full life.

Call for screening and survivor data

She now advocates for cancer awareness and urges survivors to speak openly.

“We also need proper data on survivors to give hope to those newly diagnosed,” Achieng’ says.

Dr Bor Malenya, head of the Cancer Control Programme, says people living with HIV face a higher risk of cancer due to compromised immunity.

She urges regular screening, noting that HIV-positive women are six times more likely to develop cervical cancer than women without HIV.

Common cancers among HIV patients include cervical cancer, Kaposi sarcoma and brain lymphoma.

Dr Bor emphasises the challenges of low or absent screening, late health-seeking behaviour and limited diagnostic capacity in many health facilities.

Former Kenya Society for Haematology and Oncology official Dr Naftali Busakal calls for the establishment of more cancer centres countrywide, noting that they are expensive to operate due to the need for specially trained personnel.

Recent data shows about 45,000 Kenyans are diagnosed with cancer each year, with about 29,000 deaths annually. Breast cancer leads in prevalence, followed by cervical, prostate, oesophageal and colon cancers.

Health experts say early screening, HPV vaccination for girls aged 10, healthy lifestyles and prompt treatment remain key to reducing cancer-related deaths.