The Ministry of Health, through the National Cancer Control Program (NCCP), in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners, has urged the media to be accurate when reporting about cancer ailments in order to curb misinformation and stigma associated with the disease.
Speaking during a media sensitisation forum on cancer reporting in Nairobi, Dr. Joan Bor, Head, NCCP, said that the media plays a key role in shaping opinion concerning cancer treatment and debunking myths and misconceptions regarding both cervical and breast cancers.
“As NCCP, we are deliberate on training the media since it is an important step towards enhancing cancer reporting, which calls for the media to be accurate and responsible,” said Dr. Bor.
Dr. Bor underscored that the media must strive to report accurately and advocate for cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment so as to improve treatment outcomes.
Echoing similar sentiments, the founder of Kilele Health Association, Ms. Benda Kithaka, called on journalists to write stories that give hope and also have a human face.
“The key role of the media in cancer prevention is to raise awareness, lead people to behaviour change, and thus improve health outcomes,” said Kithaka.
To achieve the fight against the disease, Kithaka asserted that media houses should invest in research and the media practitioners should hold informed dialogue as well.
WHO Kenya Country Officer Dr. Joyce Nato stated that cervical cancer is curable if detected early, coupled with regular screening of women between the ages 35-49 years.
“WHO is spirited in addressing the cervical cancer scourge with its 90-70-90 targets. Ninety per cent of girls were fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15 years, 70 per cent of women were screened and 90 per cent of women identified with cervical cancer disease were treated,” explained Dr. Nato.
Journalists present at the forum called for synergy between the Ministry, medical practitioners, experts and other stakeholders to enhance their reportage on cancer and other health conditions.
“As journalists, we experience several challenges when reporting on health for instance, when we want the Ministry to give us feedback on matters concerning health. There’s also minimal current data available to support our write-ups,” said Tabitha Rotich, a journalist.
A report by the National Cancer Control Strategy (NCCS) shows that Kenya faces a significant cancer burden with over 45,000 new cases and 29,000 deaths annually.
According to the report, cervical cancer remains the most common malignancy among women, with 5,845 new cases and 3,591 deaths each year, implying nine women die of cancer daily.
To reduce the scourge, Kenya is implementing the three-year Women’s Integrated Cancers (WICs) project as part of its NCCS and WHO-led cervical cancer elimination initiative.
The project is a pilot initiative that will improve access to breast and cervical cancer detection, treatment and care services in Nyandarua and Bungoma counties.
In order to be effective, the aforementioned services will be integrated into primary healthcare with non-communicable disease (NDC) management.
By Bethsheba Abuya
