Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells, either to combat the disease or to ease symptoms caused by tumours. However, chemotherapy is often misunderstood. One common misconception is that chemo kills. Misconception can be devastating, discouraging patients from seeking life-saving treatment. The reality is, chemotherapy doesn’t kill; it’s a crucial part of the treatment process, explains Dr Miriam Mutebi, a Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi. For many solid tumours, chemotherapy can reduce their size or slow their growth, but surgical removal is often necessary for a complete cure. Access is another significant hurdle. The cost of treatment, availability of drugs, and the infrastructure needed to administer chemotherapy vary widely, leading to stark disparities in care.