Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka has called on residents to go for early cancer screening in order to know their status on time.
Speaking at Posta grounds in Bungoma town during the Western Cancer Survivors Trade Expo, Lusaka pointed out that while cancer is a killer disease, it is manageable when handled on time.
“We are all prone to Cancer, no one is immune but the earlier we screen the better to handle it,” he said.
Lusaka assured that as a county, they were setting up a pathology laboratory for early diagnosis of cancer through processing of biceps.
“The outpatient oncological services will also be provided at Bungoma County Referral Hospital where chemotherapy services will be readily available for Cancer patients,” said Lusaka.
Health and Sanitation County Executive Committee Member Dr. Andrew Wamalwa stated that cancer is very expensive to treat hence the need for residents to go for early screening.
“Take care of your diet to avoid contracting cancer. It is an expensive disease to treat and I am requesting all of us to go for early screening to understand our status,” said Dr. Wamalwa.
A breast cancer survivor from Busia County Elizabeth Balongo who is also a primary school teacher says cancer is not a life sentence and it could be handled on time if diagnosed very early.
“When I received a cancer diagnosis, I felt like my world had crumbled. I confronted it head on but it was a tough journey for me throughout the chemotherapies I underwent,” she said.
She called on county governments to make it affordable for cancer patients through allocations of enough funds and support for care givers.
Bungoma County, in collaboration with Better World Cancer Organization, hosted the 1st Western Cancer Survivors Trade Expo as a climax of the Breast cancer awareness month.
The Managing Director of the Better World Cancer Organization Esther Andare says there are 600 survivors and patients in Western Region.
“We have identified 600 cancer survivors in six sub counties of Bungoma County who we grouped together into camps and participated in the expo and showcased their wares to attendees who in turn purchased them for their own sustainability,” said Andare.
“We deal with different types of cancer survivors and patients. We empower them during and after treatment, assist them financially for survival and keep them going,” she said.
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya, with breast cancer being amongst the leading types of Cancers affecting women.
“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we are focusing on a multi-sectoral collaboration to raise awareness levels in the County,” Andare said.
By Douglas Mudambo
