159 new different cancer cases have been detected in two constituencies in Meru county.
Out of the 307 men examined,
76 of them were found to be suffering from prostate cancer.
Speaking at Kiirua in Buuri
sub-County,
Meru governor’s wife phoebe Munya said
Igembe South leads with the highest number of cases followed by Imenti Central and
Buuri sub-counties.
In Imenti Central, 1675 women were screened
for
cervical cancer, out of which 28 had the disease whereas among 1743
examined for breast cancer 8 showed symptoms.
“We have examined thousands but the challenge is
to
men because they do not turn out for examination in large numbers as the women,” she said.
She added that only four cases were beyond the third and fourth stages but they were transferred to Meru hospice for palliative care in the facility.
The Cancer screening program is being carried out in all the 45 Wards of Meru County and those who are found with the symptoms are taken to Meru level five hospitals for further analysis and medication.
She said people should not be ashamed of being screened as this is the only way to detect and treat the disease before it advances.
Ms. Munya said that several hospitals in the
county
have been equipped with medical practitioners to assist carry out the exercise.