Kenyans have been urged to be supportive to cancer patients and shun myths leading to their stigmatisation.
Nakuru woman representative Mary Mbugua called upon the society to inspire action in bringing a difference in how people perceive cancer.
“Cancer is still a stigma that we have to overcome as a society because there are unfounded myths associated with cancer and we tend to see things differently especially for those who are cancer victims,” she said in Nakuru on Friday.
The MP's plea came even as Kenya joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Cancer Day on Thursday.
She said myths such as the disease is incurable or can be passed onto other members of the family that should be shunned since it does more harm than good.
The woman rep advised the public to inspire positive action to bring out a difference in perception of cancer and also get to understand what patients go through.
“We still have a long way to go as we have to make a positive difference and start understanding cancer victims and render them support. Let us make them feel part of us and make the environment around them accommodating,” said Mbugua.
Nakuru County, through initiatives by the First lady Lucia Mbugua, has made tremendous gains in cancer awareness.