Nyong'o: Courage, healthy eating helping me after cancer scare

Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o's deep voice and lean frame project an unflinching persona. 

But the professor of political science also exudes a humble yet unapologetic resolve. 

It is these qualities that he drew from when thrust into the arena after his cancer diagnosis.

Nyong'o was diagnosed with stage three prostate cancer in July 2010 at MP Shah hospital, in Nairobi. 

He was put on hormonal therapy for three months before being flown to the University of California San Francisco's Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center in the United States for treatment. He later was in 2011 declared cancer-free. 

But how has life been for him after close to a decade on remission? 

Nyong'o told the Star on Monday that regular checkups, mindful eating, living positively and God's grace are what keep him going in his post-cancer life. 

Since his diagnosis, he said, he has been careful to avoid foods that do not aid the body in waging an effective war against the rogue cells that turn cancerous.

The foods that he's had to quit eating include sugar, refined wheat and processed food among others, besides keeping physically fit.  

His diet is mostly vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, fruits and whole grains.

The Kisumu county chief also does regular check-ups to monitor his health. 

"It is not unusual for men to develop prostate cancer once they are above 40 years old. Cancer is not only manageable, it is also treatable if detected early," he said. 

But how did the governor, who at the time of his diagnosis was the minister for medical services, fail to have the disease detected early, only getting flagged when in stage three? 

Nyong'o says he had maintained a lifestyle of regular medical check-up prior to his diagnosis. However, he was let down by a reputable hospital in Nairobi which, he said, did not do its due diligence. 

To contain the disease, he said, counties must develop a proper capacity to enhance prevention, early detection and care, besides awareness creation. 

The county chief said the counties should incorporate such intervention against the disease at the primary healthcare level so that just like HIV and AIDs, people cease to consider it a grave threat. 

"Besides early diagnosis, we must make treatment accessible at the local level," he said. 

For instance, he said, the queue at the Kenyatta National Hospital does not make it effective in dispensing affordable treatment. 

"Telemedicine is also an area that counties including Kisumu are considering in this fight so that our facilities are linked with proper specialists," he said. 

The governor caused a stir during the funeral of former Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso last year when he dismissed the brick-and-mortar approach proposed by leaders in fighting cancer.

Leaders had proposed the development of oncological centres around the country to address the scourge which was almost declared a national disaster. 

But Nyong'o said dealing with the disease also required software approach, including lifestyle changes that embrace balanced nutrition, physical fitness and regular check-ups.