Makueni County has recorded a 31 per cent cancer case surge in the last one year, which has prompted the county administration to enhance cancer care and prevention measures.
This was revealed by Makueni County Governor’s wife Anita Mutula during the commemoration of World Cancer Day at Kathonzweni Health Centre, where she termed the increased cases as distressing and called for better treatment facilities.
According to data released by Makueni County Referral Hospital, the number of cancer diagnoses escalated from 1,745 in 2023 to 2,270 in 2024, and this has led the county government to announce plans to expand its cancer treatment facilities to better serve the growing number of patients.
Mrs. Mutula highlighted the findings from the county’s October 2024 surgical camp, which revealed a high incidence of prostate cancer among other types.
Additionally, a breast cancer screening week conducted in the same month reported a 9.8 per cent positivity rate, emphasising the critical need for regular health screenings.
Hospital records from 2024 showed that breast cancer topped the list of diagnosed cancers in Makueni, with a total of 555 cases, affecting 552 women and 3 men. Prostate cancer followed with 479 cases, while cervical cancer accounted for 210 cases.
“In Makueni County, the situation is alarming. This surge is worrying and underscores the urgent need for action,” she said.
She further voiced her concern over the low uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the county, stressing the importance of vaccinating young girls to prevent cervical cancer while encouraging parents and guardians to prioritise their daughters’ health by ensuring they received the vaccine.
“We are performing poorly in HPV uptake, and through the launch of screening, we hope to close the gap and attain a 55 per cent screening target on cervical cancer. For prostate cancer, we are introducing PSA tests at the community level for the first time in Makueni County,” she noted.
Additionally, Anita launched a three-month community-based digitalised screening programme which aims to enhance early detection and treatment of breast, cervical, and prostate cancers, leveraging technology to reach more residents across the county.
Also present was the Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Dr. Paul Musila, who echoed Anita’s remarks and rallied the community members to avail themselves for screening.
“We have a treatment centre at our Referral Hospital and I remind all of you men and women to avail yourselves so that we can assist you with medication,” said Dr. Musila.
He also highlighted the significance of the medical camps, noting that they’ve also unravelled other diseases such as goitre, and challenged the community to seize the opportunities offered by the government.
Makueni County’s efforts to combat the cancer surge are supported by partnerships from different organisations, including the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, Roche, AstraZeneca, and the Savannah Global Health Institute.
As the county continues to grapple with the increasing burden of cancer, the World Cancer Day event has served as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for collective action.
By Albanus Kioko
