Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has urged Kenyans to visit health facilities for regular screening for cervical cancer to ensure early detection.
January being Cervical Cancer Awareness month, the PS said her Ministry will use the opportunity to do more public awareness including in the churches, as a way of ensuring the information reaches a wider audience.
She said one of the primary ways to prevent cervical cancer is through regular screening and vaccination and asked parents to have their daughters vaccinated against the same.
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which prevents the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer, has been shown to significantly reduce incidents of the disease.
Early detection through cervical screening allows for the identification and treatment of precancerous lesions before they develop into full-blown cancer.
Speaking in a church service at ACK Kangai in Mwea Kirinyaga County, she said the Ministry of Health, through the Community Health Promoters (CHPs), has embarked on an awareness campaign targeting parents to embrace vaccination, adding that the vaccine is safe and no one should fear it.
She said the CHPs would also work towards making the public understand the vaccine and its safety.
“There is a need for regular screening for early detection so that one can start treatment at the earliest stage in case one is diagnosed with cancer. Every girl below 15 years should be taken for vaccination while women between 25-50 years should go for screening,” Muthoni said.
She also used the opportunity to assure Kenyans the Social Health Authority is working and no one will be left out in accessing health services.
On his part, Kirinyaga Diocese ACK Bishop Joseph Kibucwa, called on churches to be on the front line to encourage women to go for early screening and allow their daughters to get the HPV vaccine.
“Early detection will be a great relief to cancer patients due to the cost of treatment, we will partner with the government to create awareness this month in all churches.”
