People Power series: Advocacy and individual rights – Kwanele Asante, South Africa

Born in South Africa in 1969, Kwanele is in remission for breast cancer. She was diagnosed in 2006 aged 37 years, and sustained chemotherapy-induced heart muscle damage in 2007 which later led to congestive heart failure. In 2014, Kwanele was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Kwanele’s story demonstrates how health inequalities impact black women experiencing breast cancer across South Africa, and access to health care and the ability and right to participate in decisions affects health outcomes.

This article is an excerpt from the publication ‘People power - Perspectives from individuals with lived experience of noncommunicable diseases, mental health conditions and neurological conditions’, which includes six detailed case studies from 12 individuals with lived experience of diverse health conditions.

The case studies were developed using participatory research through focus groups with people with lived experience of NCDs, mental health conditions and neurological conditions.