Kericho Deputy Governor Lily Ng'ok
By Winnie Towett
lastietowett@gmail.com
As the world marked Cancer Day this week, it is still sad that about 80% of cancer patients in Kenya are diagnosed at a later stage, hence becoming costly to treat resulting in higher deaths.
This was revealed on Tuesday during the launch of a 5-day free cancer screening and treatment medical camp in Kericho town to mark the World Cancer Day.
Speaking during the launch, Kericho Deputy Governor H.E. Lily Ng’ok rooted for Prevention, Early detection, Screening, Treatment and Follow-up, as the best ways of managing cancer.
Kericho County estimates about, 7391 persons of all ages to have various types of cancer. Between 2017 and 2021, the figures rose from 132 to 205 new cases.
“I urge Kericho residents of all ages to take advantage of the free cancer screening exercise running for a week and turn up in large numbers,” Ng’ok said.
She also encouraged parents to take their 10-year-old girls for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.
The free medical services will be offered in all the County Health facilities, and made possible through the partnership of Department of Health Services, Nishkam projects Kericho, Beyond Zero, Chamgei Fm, Brighter Communities Worldwide, Finlays and Fred Memorial Kericho.
Meanwhile, Kericho Medic who is also a former Senatorial Aspirant Edward Kemei has urged Kenyans to go for early cancer screening and treatments as a step towards winning the war against the disease.
Kemei asserted that most cancers were treatable if diagnosed early, where he called on Kenyans to change their perception of the disease as a death sentence.
“Each one of us can play a role in reducing the impact of cancer. This is a disease that can be managed if detected early”, Kemei noted.
Kemei asked leaders from the region to recognize the burden cancer has on families and communities and set up an ultra-modern oncology centre at the Kericho County Referral Hospital.
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