Health authorities in Kisii have expressed concern over increasing cases of breast cancer in the region.
While wrapping up a month-long activities marking public sensitisation on the disease on Wednesday, County Health Director Dr Geoffrey Otomu disclosed that breast cancer accounted for 59 per cent of women patients attended at the area’s health facilities over the past one year.
He said other cancers were cervical at 25 per cent and prostate (13 per cent) and a palliative centre at Kisii Teaching and Referral hospital to cater for the patients with the disease’s symptoms was operational.
He cited excess alcohol consumption, poor diet, tobacco and environmental pollutants among others as risk factors for cancer.
Mr Otomu however, stressed that cancer should not be viewed as a death sentence since if detected early, it could be treated.
County Member of Executive Committee in charge of the Health docket, Sarah Omache announced a one week free cancer screening medical camp at the referral facility as from November 8.
She explained that the camp, dubbed “See and Treat,” would see women detected with the disease’s symptoms given medical attention as training for nurses would be conducted to be handling the patients.
Ms Omache said two cancer treatment machines had been availed at each sub-county hospital and urged the women to turn up and be assisted.
Speaking separately, nominated MCA Josephine Ombati challenged women to participate in a match from the Referral and Teaching hospital to Kisii University aimed at creating awareness on cancers afflicting women on October 30 this year.
Mr Ombati, who presided over a fundraiser for Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organisation, Kisii Central sub-county at Keumbu warned that women could not advance even if empowered while grappling with the cancers.
She urged them to present themselves for checkup.