- Kenya has 10 other regional cancer centres in Mombasa, Nakuru and Garissa that provide radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery
- Kakamega, Kisumu, Embu and Nyeri have chemotherapy and surgery with radiotherapy coming soon
Image: Jessicah Nyaboke
Medics have called for more sensitisation on importance of annual medical check ups.
They said this is the only way that diseases such as cancer can be treated and managed at an early stage.
National Cancer Control Program's Dr Joyfrida Chepchumba said early treatment will minimise loss of life.
“Being diagnosed with cancer is not a death sentence, early screening and starting treatment on time saves lives, the survivors will continue living normal lives," she said.
Chepchumba said the government has invested heavily in cancer care and those diagnosed with the disease can be treated locally.
"There is no need to travel overseas for cancer treatment because radiotherapy services are available at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital," she said.
Kenya has 10 other regional cancer centres in Mombasa, Nakuru and Garissa that provide radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery.
Kakamega, Kisumu, Embu and Nyeri have chemotherapy and surgery with radiotherapy coming soon.
Although breast cancer is leading 5,000 cases reported annually, cervical cancer with 4000 cases causes more deaths because it is very aggressive.
“We lose many women with cervical cancer because the disease is very aggressive, but it can be managed and treated effectively with early screening and diagnosis," said Chepchumba.
She spoke during a medical screening camp at Drys farm in Ainabkoi subcounty, Uasin Gishu county.
More than 2,000 residents benefited from free screening and treatment.
The medic encouraged men especially those aged 45 years and above to go for screening, not only for prostate, but also for colorectal and pancreatic cancers.
At the same time, she urged parents to ensure their girls aged 10 to 14 get vaccinated for the human papilloma virus.
"When the girls become sexually active, they are exposed to HPV, but this will not transform into cancer if they are vaccinated,” Chepchumba said.
She said the vaccine is safe without any side effects.
"Following some resistance when the vaccine was introduced, samples were taken for analysis at KNH, it was tested and certified safe without any infertility hormones," Chepchumba said.
Uasin Gishu county director of health Dr Evans Kiprotich said as a county, they initiated an RRI to ensure all girls within the age bracket get the HPV vaccine.
“What is wrong with our girls getting the vaccine that would prevent the from getting cancer in their latter lives?” he asked.
He however said there was need for men to be encouraged to go for screening because majority wait until they stop passing urine to go to hospital.
“Prostate enlargement can be diagnosed early through PSA testing and managed, but majority of our men rarely go for testing, " Kiprotich said.
He said from numerous medical camp screenings, it emerged that demand for health services was huge hence the need to put in place strategies that will ensure better access to healthcare.
“We have realised there is an increase of hypertensive cases in our communities that the affected may not be aware of. Last year we only screened 4,000 mothers out of a population of more than 40,000 women of reproductive age, indicating a serious gap. We have also realised that most men do not go for prostate enlargement check-ups and will only go the hospital when the urine is completely blocked,” Kiprotich said.
“The issue of prostate enlargement is largely a private affair for men because of the stigma attached to it, they will only come to the hospital when they realize the urine is completely blocked.”