Over 90 per cent of breast cancer cases among women in Makueni County are detected at advanced stages, the Spouse of Makueni Governor Anita Mbinya Mutula has noted.
Mrs. Mutula lamented that late detection has limited treatment options and impacts on survival outcomes of those suffering from the killer disease in the county.
Consequently, she called for concerted efforts to ensure the local residents go for early and regular screening in an effort to stop this worrying trend in the county.
“Out of 1,353 patients who have visited our Empower Clinic at the Makueni County Referral Hospital, 70.2 per cent have been diagnosed with breast cancer stage 4, while 23.5 per cent had cancer at stage 3. This means that over 90 per cent of breast cancer cases are detected at advanced stage,” said Mrs. Mutula.
She was speaking at Makueni County Referral Hospital in Wote town during a Breast Cancer Awareness Month event on Wednesday.
“We must promote early detection and empower our communities with information and resources to curb this trend,” she added.
While emphasising the need to take routine breast and cervical cancer tests, Mrs. Mutula said people should not wait for cancer month but rather be keen on regular screening for early detection; hence, early treatment; noting this increases treatment options and success rate, basically reducing even the treatment cost.
This year’s theme is “No one should face breast cancer alone.”
Speaking at the same event, the Department of Health Chief Officer (CO) Stephen Ndolo noted that family members should encourage each other to be tested early and regularly because the disease turns out to be a family responsibility once a member gets it.
On the cost of drugs, Ndolo encouraged residents to register with the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which will support their treatment costs if need arises.
“I urge our people to register with SHIF since the insurance can cater for the treatment of cancer. This will help you access treatment,” Ndolo said.
He was reacting to the cancer survivors who spoke at the event, lamenting the high cost of cancer treatment drugs.
By Patrick Nyakundi
