Doctors have challenged Kenyans to go for regular cancer screening stating that early detection may mean less treatment and less time spent recovering.
In a plea to Kenyans as the world marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month-which is celebrated every October, the medics also urged locals to always go for early diagnosis wherever they suspect changes in their body behaviour and symptoms similar to different types of cancers.
Specialist oncologist from India, Dr Lalit Varadpande regretted that many patients have been presenting their cases when cancer is at an advanced stage.
“Most types of cancers like breast, cervical and prostate cancer patients are able to get specialised treatment at facilities if only they are diagnosed early,” he pointed out.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been celebrated every October since the 1990s.
It is called 'Pink October' as people around the world adopt the pink colour and display a pink ribbon to raise awareness about breast health.
Breast cancer is now the second most commonly diagnosed cancer globally after lung, according to World Health Organisation.
Dr Maxwell Okoth said many diseases associated with certain types of cancers can only be prevented if everyone takes public health as an important agenda with the help of community health promoters.
“Regular and annual check-ups are always encouraged as well as look out for the danger signs and red flags,” he said.
Speaking at the launch of free breast cancer screening at RFH Healthcare in Ruai, Nairobi, Okoth said the public needs education basics of cancer control, prevention, early signs of the common ones, risk factors, treatment and management.
“Cancer is a national disaster yet 75 per cent of new cancer cases would have been prevented,” he noted.
Okoth noted that lack of awareness and cost of treatment are some of the biggest obstacles to proper diagnosis and cancer treatment.
RFH Healthcare has brought in a team of doctors from India who will assist in offering free cancer screening in all its branches in Nairobi in October.
The four most common cancers occurring worldwide are female breast, lung, bowel and prostate cancers.