Prime
Prof Mwandosya pens memoir on his battle with cancer
What you need to know:
- The memoir was officially launched on July 29 in Dar es Salaam, during a ceremony officiated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, who hailed the publication as an important educational tool for cancer patients, caregivers, medical students, and healthcare professionals.
Dar es Salaam. It was a journey marked by pain, resilience and deep reflection. That is how veteran politician Prof Mark Mwandosya describes his year-long battle with multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer, which he now recounts in his newly published memoir, Living with Cancer: Diaries of a Multiple Myeloma Patient.
Published by Mkuki na Nyota Publishers Ltd, the book documents Prof Mwandosya’s treatment experience in India between June 17, 2011, and July 14, 2012. It offers a deeply personal and detailed account of his fight for survival and recovery.
The memoir was officially launched on July 29 in Dar es Salaam, during a ceremony officiated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, who hailed the publication as an important educational tool for cancer patients, caregivers, medical students, and healthcare professionals.
Speaking at the launch, Prof Mwandosya reflected on the stages of his medical journey, narrating his story through a series of photographs taken by his wife, Lucy Mwandosya, during his time in hospital.
“I was still working and felt physically fine when doctors discovered something was wrong,” he recalled. “After undergoing several tests, it was found that my sixth vertebra was crumbling. As you can see in this image,” he said while pointing to a photo, “there’s a visible gap where my bones were literally grinding away. That’s when surgery was performed.”
Following the procedure, Prof Mwandosya began his cancer treatment, which included intensive chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant — a process he described as both physically and emotionally draining.
“I was given a high dose of chemotherapy to try and kill off the cancerous cells. The doctors warned me I would lose all my hair. One of them even joked that they had plenty of Indian wigs I could wear,” he said, prompting laughter from the audience.
Although the diagnosis was devastating, Prof Mwandosya said his family stood firmly by his side, providing support and encouragement through each stage of the journey.
“This is not the end. The fight continues, but I am in a stable condition now,” he added.
Dr Biteko, in his address, commended Prof Mwandosya for his courage in sharing such a deeply personal account with the public.
“You could have written about your journey from Permanent Secretary to Cabinet Minister and people would have read it. You could have written about a successful marriage and it would have drawn readers,” he said. “But instead, you chose to share a raw and personal story to educate and inspire the public. For that, we are sincerely grateful.”
Dr Biteko noted that around 45,000 Tanzanians are diagnosed with cancer every year, with approximately 30,000 deaths attributed to the disease annually.
He cited cervical cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, oesophageal cancer, and colorectal cancer as the most common forms of the disease in the country.
“This diary is a powerful lesson for all of us. You have turned your private life into a public message of hope and awareness. Congratulations,” Dr Biteko said.
Dr Clara Chamba, Head of the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), described the memoir as a valuable resource for medical professionals, students, and patients alike.
“Prof Mwandosya’s story offers comfort to others facing similar challenges. He has laid everything bare, from his diagnosis to treatment and recovery,” she said.
She added that the book is not only about survival, but also about reflection, compassion, and taking action—providing both inspiration and practical lessons to readers across the board.
