The Cancer Pest

Cancer has become the biggest death threat in Kenya with an estimate of 90 people dying of cancer daily according to the National Cancer Institute of Kenya.

Just last year we lost prominent figures in Kenya to cancer; (from right to left) the late Boment Governor, Joyce Laboso, Kibra MP Ken Okoth and Bob Collymore who was Safaricom’s CEO.

This together with many unreported cases makes it hard to ignore that Kenya is quickly being dubbed a ”Cancer Nation.” Statistics prove that most of the cases stem from late detection, lack of proper equipment or staffing and most recently, the rising cases of misdiagnosis.

That being said, January is National cervical cancer awareness month and it’s a month urging all women and girls to get tested and treated for cervical cancer. Statistics show that most women die from the disease despite it being preventable and treatable.

One of the biggest causes of cervical cancer is, HPV. This is a sexually transmitted infection that can be prevented early through vaccination. In 2019 the government introduced free HPV vaccinations for girls under 10 years which has greatly helped in the fight against cervical cancer.

It’s with urgency that women and girls are being asked to take advantage of this month and the free cancer screening tests being held in selected hospitals.

Early detection is just as good as prevention.

Let’s fight cancer!