Mombasa: A breast cancer survivor and her family have petitioned the government to set up free screening centres in every sub-county, saying delayed diagnosis and the high cost of treatment continue to push rural families into poverty and, in some cases, cost patients their lives.
According to Kenya News Agency, Hadasa Emma, who walked 156 kilometers from Voi to Mombasa to raise breast cancer awareness, said she undertook the journey after watching her mother battle the disease and struggle to access timely, affordable care. Emma expressed her motivation by sharing the challenges she faced with her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, highlighting the financial and logistical burdens it placed on her family.
Emma recounted the arduous process her mother endured, requiring multiple trips between Makindu, Machakos, and Nairobi for testing. She emphasized the delays in receiving test results, which, in some cases, cost patients their lives. Her family had to solicit loans from friends to afford her mother’s surgery and prolonged medication.
Cecilia Ndunge, another survivor from Makueni County, shared her experience of early detection saving her life. After discovering a painless lump, she was diagnosed with stage one malignant breast cancer and underwent surgery promptly. Although her family managed to fund the initial operation, the subsequent five-year medication regimen posed a significant financial strain.
Ndunge highlighted the tendency of rural residents to ignore early symptoms due to the painless nature of cancer’s initial stages. She warned that by the time symptoms become painful, the disease might have advanced significantly, increasing the risk of fatality.
Clement Mutuku, whose mother has survived cancer for over a decade, advocated for extending screening services to the village level. He stressed the importance of grassroots awareness and screening to save lives, citing the influence of a radio campaign in his mother’s early detection.
Stanislaus Muuo encouraged young people to participate in awareness campaigns, asserting that visibility drives change. He urged hospitals to stock cancer medication and screening machines to facilitate early detection and improve outcomes for patients.
