Aflatoxin to blame for rising number of liver cancer in Makueni

Aflatoxin poisoning in Makueni has been blamed for the rising cases of liver cancer in the county.
County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Health, Dr. Andrew Mulwa said most of the food crops grown in the county are affected by aflatoxin hence predisposing residents to liver cancer.
Aflatoxins are poisonous substances produced by certain kinds of fungi that are found on agricultural crops like maize and can contaminate food crops posing a serious health threat to humans and even livestock.
Dr.Mulwa however said, the County Government was collaborating with Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the University of Nairobi to establish a research centre in the county to come up with way to eliminate aflatoxin.
‘‘Our county is an aflatoxin belt but we are working together with relevant partners on how to curb the problem,” said the CEC.
Speaking at Makindu railways grounds during the World Cancer Day, on Monday, Dr.Mulwa also disclosed that the county government was planning to put up a cancer centre to offer treatment to cancer patients.
“We are seeking partners to help us establish a centre of excellence for cancer treatment as a way of fighting the disease,’’he said.
The Health Executive urged residents to go for regular check-up to prevent cancer.
‘‘Most patients go to the hospital when the disease has progressed to late stages that cannot be cured,’’he added.
During the event 26 breast cancer survivors benefited from prosthesis brassieres donated by Eddah’s Foundation.
By Onesmus/Roselyne Kavoo